Hellenic Coast Guard welcomes 5 new patrol boats

September 5, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The Hellenic Coast Guard has commissioned five new high-speed patrol boats into its fleet during a ceremony held on September 2, 2025.

Credit: Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of Greece

The vessels mark the completion of Contract T49/2023, valued at €17 million and funded through the TAMEY 2021–2027 program. Each boat costs €3.4 million, and with an option for five additional units, the total investment could rise to €34 million.

Built in Finland by Marine Alutech Oy Ab, the patrol boats are made of aluminum with a composite superstructure. They measure 19.5 meters in length and 5.1 meters in width, with a draft of 0.8 meters. The vessels can reach speeds of over 50 knots, maintain an operational speed of more than 32 knots, and have a range of up to 360 nautical miles.

The boats feature anti-ballistic protection around the superstructure and are equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station capable of mounting 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm firearms.

They are fitted with advanced communications systems including VHF, MF/HF, FM/AM and satellite links, as well as maritime radar, electro-optical surveillance cameras, and electronic navigation charts.

Each vessel accommodates a six-member crew and a special mission team, with space for transporting up to 40 people. They also carry full lifesaving and rescue equipment to enable them to operate ‘effectively’ even under adverse weather conditions.

Three of the new patrol boats have already been deployed to the Port Authorities of Tinos, Samos, and Kos, while the remaining two will be assigned to Chios and Heraklion. Their distribution significantly strengthens the operational presence of the Coast Guard in areas of particular geographical and strategic importance, the officials noted.

The delivery forms part of a wider equipment modernization program worth over €800 million, financed through the European Union’s Migration and Home Affairs Funds 2021–2027.

This program also covers the acquisition of ultra-modern floating and land vehicles, surveillance systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and digital technologies.

Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias said that within the next five to six months, all tender procedures for the Coast Guard and the Ministry will be announced. These will cover offshore and pursuit vessels, drones, sensors, unmanned submarines, and a modern operations center for prevention, early detection and crisis response.

He underlined that the aim is to ensure that by 2025–2026 the Coast Guard can fully support Greece’s maritime borders, ports, and infrastructure.

Kikilias also stressed that the process will be conducted with legality and transparency, while giving Greek shipyards and shipbuilders the opportunity to participate competitively as the sector revives.