GREEK shipbuilder Elefsis Shipyards, working in conjunction with Vosper Thornycroft (VT) Shipbuilding, is set to launch the first of three 62m fast attack craft for the Hellenic Navy before the end of this year.

HS Roussen is the initial ship in a trio of Super Vita Class vessels which will significantly enhance the capability of the Hellenic Navy to provide effective security for the Greek coastline. Elefsis - the prime contractor - and VT are also expecting to hear confirmation shortly of a follow-on order for two more of these heavily-armed craft, which have speeds of over 34 knots.

Elefsis and VT Shipbuilding, through its Greek subsidiary VT Hellas SA, have been working closely together on the project since the late 1990s, culminating in the contract becoming effective in March 2000. First steel was cut in the following February and production is already well under way on the second ship.

Under the agreement, VT has provided the design and transfer of a technology package to Elefsis, with the design based on the smaller Vita Class ships built for Qatar in the mid-1990s. In addition, a considerable offset programme has meant VT has provided services and equipment to the Hellenic defence industry, including working with Elefsis to develop the infrastructure of the shipyard for this and future projects.

Major investment has been made in new machinery and facilities to benefit the construction of the FACs and for future projects. New equipment installed at the Elefsis yard has included a 3kw laser cutter, CNC tube-bending machines, flat plate seam welder, welding equipment and a unit transporter. VT also has a project team based at Elefsis and is assisting in the build.

VT Shipbuilding managing director Andrew Bunney said: "We have formed a solid working relationship with Elefsis which has also led to us working together on other projects. The investment in the shipyard has helped to improve efficiency and Elefsis has raised its standing among Mediterranean shipyards as a result. We look forward to further collaboration with them."

A further element has been the transfer of two Royal Navy Hunt Class minecountermeasures ships to the Hellenic Navy. These are being supported by VT Integrated Logistics which will also provide contractor logistic support for the FACs when they enter service. HS Roussen is scheduled for handover in November 2003 with the other two ships following at six-month intervals.

The FACs comprise a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with a length overall of 61.9m. and a breadth of 9.5m. They are equipped with four MTU 16V595 diesel engines, driving four fixed-pitch propellers and giving speeds of more than 34 knots. The vessel is also equipped with three 250kW generators driven by MTU 6R183 TE52 diesel engines.

Weapons include one Oto Breda Super Rapid 76mm gun, two Oto Breda 30mm guns, a Ramsys GMWS Mk31 surface-to-air capability and Exocet ITL70A surface-to-surface missiles. The ship also has a sophisticated electronic warfare package, including the Tacticos combat management system.

The VT Super Vita Class benefits from advanced survivability and has been designed with good seakeeping abilities to allow maximum operational efficiency by the complement of 45 officers and ratings. Other VT equipment to be fitted includes naval machinery control systems and Vosper stabilisers.