Following Turkey and Portugal, in the late 1980s, Greece, Australia, and New Zealand
joined the club of the MEKO 200-class owners. Within 10 years, five Western navies had chosen
these frigates. The modular design had been the key to success in the international market.
Now, we are investigating the Hydra and ANZAC classes as the second episode of MEKO 200-class.
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May the 4th Be With You! The Hydra and ANZAC classes were the symbols
of the new phase of the MEKO 200's evolution. Having gained significant experience with
the Yavuz-class programme, Blohm & Voss had begun to perfect its own design.
In addition, thanks to the technological advances, now they were able to offer more advanced
MEKO 200 class frigates. So, in 1988, Greece became the third customer
of the MEKO 200-class. In the beginning, the Hellenic Navy had planned
to have six vessels. But, the country's economy was not well in the 1990s.
So, Greece acquired eight second-hand Kortenaer-class frigates from the Netherlands and reduced
the number of the MEKO 200s to four. The first ship of this class, HS Hydra, also
known as MEKO 200HN-class or Hydra-class, was laid down in 1990, launched in 1991, and
commissioned in 1992. In the same year, she suffered a serious fire.
So, the Hellenic Navy had to wait for using HS Hydra fully operational until 1993.
The first MEKO 200HN was built in Germany and the last three frigates in Greece.
The frigates of the Hellenic Navy had many different features from their predecessors.
For example, data of all their subsystems, including weapons and sensors, could be controlled
from different multi-interface computer units thanks to the digital data and information
network. If one of the multi-interface computer units is damaged for any reason, the other
unit could take over its task. This feature provides increased combat capability
and survivability for the Greek MEKO 200s. Besides, thanks to advanced automation systems,
the frigate can be operated with a smaller crew.
The frigates of the Hellenic Navy have better shock resistance. Thanks to its additional
bulwark around the bows and the unique electro-hydraulic rudder, the seaworthiness of the Hydra-class
is superior to the previous Yavuz and Vasco da Gama classes.
These surface combatants have been degaussed level three against magnetic sea mines.
The Hydra-class has the same sonar as the Turkish Yavuz-class. But, the Hellenic Navy
chose the variable depth sonar version, which has better detection capability in peculiar
hydrographic conditions of the Aegean Sea. Also, the sonars of the Hydra-class frigates
are better positioned, which improve performance. The complement of the Hydra-class is 173-person.
The fully loaded displacement is 3,350 tons. The frigate has a length of 117 metres, a
beam of 14.8 metres, and a draught of 6 metres. The combined diesel or gas configuration propulsion
system consists of two 2,600 horsepower MTU 20V956 TB82 diesel engines and two 15.165
horsepower GE LM 2500 gas turbines. The maximum speed of the Hydra-class is 30 knots. With
its economical speed of 18 knots, the frigate can reach a range of 7,600 kilometres.
In 1989, Australia and New Zealand, which had jointly opened a tender in 1986 to replace
their Leander-class frigates, became the fourth and fifth customers of the MEKO 200-class.
Eight vessels were built for Australia, two vessels for New Zealand.
The first ship of this class, HMAS Anzac, also known as MEKO 200 ANZ-class or ANZAC-class,
was laid down in 1993, launched in 1994, and commissioned in 1996 by the Royal Australian
Navy. The first MEKO 200 class frigate of Royal
New Zealand Navy, HMNZS Te Kaha, was laid down in 1994, launched in 1995, and commissioned
in 1997. All ten ships were built in Australia.
Developed based on the Vasco de Gama-class, this model has two diesel engines and one
gas turbine. So, the ANZAC-class frigates have a longer
range, albeit slower than other MEKO 200s. The complement of the ANZAC-class is 164-person
for the Australian model and 178-person for the New Zealand model. The fully-loaded displacement
of the initial variant of the frigate is 3,600 tons. But, after modernization, the fully-loaded
displacement of the Australian ships increased to 3,810 tons. The frigate has a length of
117,5 metres, a beam of 14.8 metres, and a draught of 6 metres. The combined diesel or
gas configuration propulsion system consists of two 2,210 horsepower MTU 12V 1163 diesel
engines and one 30,000 horsepower GE LM 2500 gas turbine. The maximum speed of the ANZAC-class
is 27 knots. With its economical speed of 18 knots, the frigate can reach a range of
11,110 kilometres. Now, let's look at the subsystems of these
surface combatants. The Hydra-class has the DA 08 F-band air/surface
search radar and the MW 08 F/G-band air radar. The DA 08 has a range of 168 kilometres.
The MW 08 can detect an air target with a radar cross-section of 0.1 square meters at
a range of 17 kilometres. Initially, All ANZAC-class frigates had the
AN/SPS-49(V)8 ANZ C/D-band air search radars, whose range is 475 kilometres.
Except for HMNZS Te Mana, all ships have different radars now.
The Australian MEKO 200s were equipped with the CEAFAR2-L L-band long-range solid-state
active phased array radar, whose range is over 180 kilometres. It has the ability to
maintain constant 360 degrees of surveillance, to track multiple targets simultaneously and
to stare at a specific item of interest. Also, the Australian vessels now have the
CEAMOUNT X-band active phased array illuminator. The AN/SPS-49(V)8 ANZ radar of the HMNZS Te
Kaha was replaced with the SMART-S Mk 2 long-range air and surface surveillance radar.
The HMNZS Te Mana will be equipped with this radar soon.
The SMART-S Mk 2 has a range of 200 kilometres, and it can track more than 500 targets simultaneously.
All Greek and Australian MEKO 200s have up to eight RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles,
whose range is 124 kilometres. It has a 222-kilogram semi armour-piercing warhead. Its maximum
speed is Mach 0.86. The Royal Australian Navy has fitted the Harpoons
onto its ships after 2005 onwards. The MEKO 200s of the Royal New Zealand Navy
have the RGM-84 capability, but they are not fitted with this missile.
Initially, both the Hydra-class and ANZAC-class had been equipped with the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
missile. But, now, the Greek and Australian frigates'
Mk 41 vertical launching systems are fitted with the RIM-162 ESSM air defence missiles.
The ESSM has a range of 50 kilometres and a maximum speed of Mach 4.
The New Zealand ships are being equipped with the GWS.35 20-cell vertical launching system
for the Sea Ceptor air defence missiles. The Sea Ceptor has an effective range between
less than 1 kilometre and greater than 25 kilometres. Its speed is Mach 3.
Both the Hydra-class and ANZAC-class have one 127mm Mk 45 guns, which has an effective
range of 23 kilometres against surface targets and 15 kilometres against air targets.
Although, they were originally planned to be equipped with 76mm guns, the MEKO 200ANZs
were equipped with 127mm Mk 45s due to the Australian Army' request for a heavier gun
for shore bombardment duties. The Hydra-class has two Mk 15 Phalanx close-in
weapon system, which has an effective range of 1.5 kilometres and a rate of fire of 4,500
rounds per minute. These Phalanxes are fitted asymmetrically to provide 360-degree coverage.
Every close-in weapon system holds 1,550 ready-to-fire ammunition, which is sufficient for eight
engagements of missile targets. The Australian MEKO 200s do not have a close-in
weapon system. Initially, the New Zealand frigates were fitted
with a single Mk 15 over the hangar. But, during the current modernization, the Phalanx
of the HMNZS Te Kaha was removed. She would be equipped with the latest version of the
Mk 15 later. The ANZAC-class also has two Mini Typhoon
remote-controlled weapon station with a 12.7mm machine gun.
The Australian vessels have two TopLite electro optic directors for them while the New Zealand
ships have only one. The Hydra-class and ANZAC-class are equipped
with 324mm Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes. The frigates of the Hellenic Navy have aviation
facilities, which are suitable for an SH-60 Aegean Hawk helicopter.
The Royal Australian Navy uses an MH-60R helicopter, while the Royal New Zealand Navy uses an SH-2G
Super Seasprite. The vessels of the Hellenic Navy will be modernized
soon. But, due to current economic problems, modernization will probably contain only electronic
systems. While introducing the subsystems, we talked
a little about the modernization adventure of the Australian and New Zealand ships.
If we take a look at the other details, after 2004, all Australian MEKO 200s have been modernized
gradually. During the modernization, additional ballast was fitted to maintain stability.
Therefore, the displacement of these frigates increased to 3,810 tons. Since 2018, the ANZAC-class
frigates have been undergoing their Midlife Capability Assurance Program upgrade.
Besides weapon and radar upgrades, the ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy are being fitted
with the CMS 330 combat management system. The Hydra-class frigates have also participated
in many international missions. For example, HS Psara assumed the flagship role in Operation
Atalanta in 2009. The MEKO 200-class frigates of the Hellenic
Navy have countlessly encountered their Turkish sisters, Yavuz-class and Barbaros-class, in
the Aegean Sea. Both the Australian and New Zealand ANZAC-class
frigates participated in the INTERFET Operation. In 2003, HMAS Anzac provided naval gunfire
support during the Battle of Al Faw. Thus she conducted the first coastal bombardment
of the Royal Australian Navy in real combat after 31 years.
The ANZAC-class has also turned into the symbol of gender equality for Australia and New Zealand.
In 2007, HMAS Perth became the Royal Australian Navy's first major surface combatant commanded
by a woman. In the same year, HMNZS Te Mana reached the
same honour. The ANZAC-class frigates have visited the
heroes of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in Turkey for ANZAC Day for many times.
As Atatürk said "There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they
lie side by side here in this country of ours... After having lost their lives on this land
they have become our sons as well". And the Australian, New Zealand, and Turkish
MEKO 200s have stood next to each other as brothers.
They have become one of the symbols of the last gentleman's war.
The Hunter-class will begin to replace the MEKO 200s of the Royal Australian Navy after
2027. 2030s and 2040s will probably be the last
years of the Greek and New Zealand frigates. The technical and economic support provided
by the USA and Germany played a key role in many countries' preference for the MEKO 200-class.
Yet, the fact that it can be easily configured according to the user's demand was undoubtedly
the most important factor in this success. These frigates have always accomplished what
was expected of them in many real wars, crises, and operations they participated in. The beloved
surface combatant by their crews, the MEKO 200-class ships, have earned the title, legend.
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