EXOCET wins over a new fierce competition in Greece
Paris, 31 August 2000
On 31 August 2000, the Greek Ministry of Defence has announced during a press conference the signature with Aerospatiale Matra Missiles ( a 100% subsidiary of EADS ) of a contract to equip the new Greek Navy Fast Attack Craft (FAC) with the latetst version of the EXOCET MM 40 anti-ship missile system.
This contract amounting to 61.7 million Euros is for the supply of three systems and 27 missiles to equip the three FAC built locally by Elefsis Shipyards.
Deliveries are to begin in 2001 and end in mid-2004.
This contract includes a significant industrial cooperative programme with the Greek defence industry.
Selection of the EXOCET system by Greece has been won in front of a fierce competition.
This EXOCET sale is the second to be signed in year 2000, after notification in July 2000 of a contract with South Africa to equip four MEKO A-200 SAN corvettes of Blohm & Voss design.
Several other EXOCET contracts are being negociated, wich demonstrates the strong demand for the most recent EXOCET configuration, so-called "Block 2 ", which integrates leading-edge technologies in order to foster stealth, target detection en enemy anti-air defence penetration.
More than ever, the EXOCET anti-ship system remains the reference in naval anti-surface warfare.
Note to Editors:
The Exocet family is in service with 33 customers, with over 3300 missiles sold so far.
The family comprises the surface-to-surface or coastal defence system MM 40, the air-launched AM 39 and the submarine-launched SM 39, all these versions being now promoted in their latest Block 2 configuration.
Exocet MM 40, AM 39 an SM 39 Block 2 missile systems share the following operational features: Over-the Horizon (OTH) firing capability, low launch culmination, low radar signature, late homing head activation, enhanced target selection and ECCMs, very low altitude sea skimming, versatile attack profiles, resulting in a high penetration power of enemy anti-air defences.
The EXOCET family has won nearly all recent major international competitions in the open market in the following countries: Chile, Chyprus, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, adding South Africa and Greece this year.
Under these export contracts, a vide variety of carriers are equiped: 3 Lafayette class frigates, 6 Vosper corvettes, 4 Yarrow corvettes, 2 Yarrow firgates, 3 Agosta 90B submarines, Cougar helicopters, Mirage 2000 combat aircraft and coastal batteries.
