DEFENCE shipbuilder VT Group, which has its headquarters in Hedge End and two yards at Southampton and Portsmouth, has signed a £100m contract to supply the Greek navy with two ships.

The deal was part of a follow-on order arising out of an agreement to build fast-attack craft for the Hellenic Navy.

Orders from the Middle East are also in the pipeline.

VT, which sees its new Portsmouth shipyard officially opened on Monday, is involved in design, procurement services and other assistance.

All the craft are being built in Greece.

Meanwhile, the company has unveiled a £100m helicopter patrol vessel in the war against terrorism.

The 125m-long ship, currently at design stage, is aimed at navies who need speed and flexibility to counter sea-borne threats.

VT is currently exhibiting at a controversial defence exhibition, the scene of protests, in east London.