The Elli-class frigates are a series of frigates operated by the Hellenic Navy. The ships are of Dutch origin and are also known as Kortenaer-class or Standard-class or S-class frigates. The first two ships (Elli and Limnos), which have lengthened hangars and different armament were built specifically for the Hellenic Navy. The remaining ships are ex-Royal Netherlands Navy S-frigates of the Kortenaer class transferred to the Hellenic Navy in the 1990s and early 2000s. These robust and reliable ships constitute the backbone of the Hellenic Navy. Elli, for which the class is named, is itself named after two famous Greek cruisers, one of which was sunk during peacetime before the Greco-Italian War.
There was a mid life modernization programme for six of the ten Greek ships which started in 2004 and was completed in 2009. The program was performed at Hellenic Shipyards and the upgraded frigates were the following: Kountouriotis (F-462), Adrias (F-459), Navarinon (F-461), Limnos (F-451), Elli (F-450), and Aegaeon (F-460).
The main modernization work included the following:
Bouboulina (F-463) was decommissioned on 18 February 2013. It will be used as a source for spare parts.
On 2 November 2017 Kanaris ran aground near the islet Atalanti, southwest of Psyttaleia in the Saronic Gulf, on the way back to the Salamis Naval Base.[2] There were no personnel injuries and no fuel leaks but there was serious hull damage which according to news reports affected the SONAR shell. After 8 months of absence for repairs the ship was again operational in July 2018 using the SONAR and dome from decommissioned Bouboulina (F-463).[3]
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