Hellenic Navy Open Day
To mark Ohi Day ("No Day"), celebrated annually on 28 October, numerous public events and commemorations are held throughout Greece. The occasion is regarded as a symbol of national unity and pride. As part of the 2025 celebrations, the Hellenic Navy presented several of its frontline vessels to the public in Piraeus Port.
Hellenic Navy
Open Day
Petr Uzsák
To mark Ohi Day („No Day“), celebrated
annually on 28 October, numerous public events
and commemorations are held throughout
Greece. The occasion is regarded as a symbol
of national unity and pride. As part of the 2025
celebrations, the Hellenic Navy presented
several of its frontline vessels to the public in
Piraeus Port.
The origins of Ohi Day date back to 1940,
when Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas
delivered an unequivocal „No“ in response to
Italian dictator Benito Mussolini‘s ultimatum
demanding the occupation of strategically
important areas of Greece by Axis forces. The
rejection led to war with Italy, which was soon
joined by Great Britain as Greece‘s ally, while
Germany entered the conflict in support of Italy.
Since 1942, this day of national pride has been
commemorated by Greek communities around
the world.
The ships were berthed in the civilian
section of the port, alongside the international
passenger terminal. Admission was free, and
visitors were allowed to photograph virtually
every accessible part of the vessels. Members
of the crews escorted visitors throughout the
tours, explaining each ship‘s operational role,
service history and technical features. The
sailors repeatedly stressed that the public has
the right to see how taxpayers‘ money is being
invested. The event attracted considerable
interest, with visitors willingly waiting in long
queues to board the ships.
Although the origins of the modern Hellenic
Navy can be traced back to 1821, when the
Greek War of Independence began, its official
foundation dates to 1828. Today, the service
comprises approximately 30,000 personnel and
operates around 180 vessels of various classes
and roles.
Three very different types of warships were
presented in Piraeus Port. One of them was the
missile boat Karathanasis (P78) of the Super Vita
class. Based on the British-designed Roussen
class, the vessel was constructed domestically
at Elefsis Shipyards and entered service in
2020. Its principal armament consists of MM40
Exocet anti-ship missiles with a maximum
range of approximately 200 km. The vessel is
also equipped with a bow-mounted OTO Melara
76 mm naval gun. Visitors were permitted to
tour only the weather deck, while the interior
compartments remained closed to the public.
The frigate Psara (F454), a Hydra-class vessel
based on the German MEKO 200 design, was
the largest ship on display. Although of German
design, she was built domestically at Hellenic
Shipyards in Skaramagas, near Piraeus. Her
principal armament comprises Mk 141 Harpoon
anti-ship missiles, complemented by a Mk 45
127 mm naval gun and Mk 32 triple 324 mm
torpedo launchers.
According to her crew, Psara is the most
combat-experienced warship currently
serving in the Hellenic Navy. The tour began
with boarding from the port side, followed by
a passage through the superstructure towards
the forecastle. Along the way, visitors passed the
ship‘s small chapel. On the foredeck, the crew
introduced the vessel, outlining her history and
weapon systems before leading the group up
two steep ladders to the bridge. There, the crew
explained the ship‘s principal operating modes
and basic command procedures. The visitors
then proceeded through the superstructure to
the open starboard deck, passing the torpedo
launchers before crossing another section of
the superstructure to the quarterdeck, where
the helicopter landing deck is located. The
aft superstructure also houses the helicopter
hangar, which had been temporarily converted
into a souvenir shop during the event. The frigate
is capable of operating a single helicopter, with
the Hellenic Navy currently flying the Sikorsky
SH-60R and S-70B. Visitors exited the vessel by
passing through the hangar back to the open
port-side deck.
Another highlight of the exhibition was the
submarine Pipinos (S-121), a Papanikolis-
class boat based on the German Type 214
design. Visitors were able to inspect only the
submarine‘s exterior, as access to the pressure
hull was not permitted. She is one of four
submarines of this class currently serving
in the Hellenic Navy and, like the frigate, was
constructed at the Skaramagas shipyard under
German licence. Commissioned in 2014, the
submarine is armed with 533 mm torpedoes and
Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
The current international security
environment continues to place increasing
demands on the Greek Armed Forces. These
challenges include migration across the
Eastern Mediterranean and longstanding
disputes with Turkey in the Aegean Sea. Greece
also contributes to the protection of commercial
shipping in the Red Sea under Operation Aspides,
safeguarding merchant vessels against Houthi
attacks, while simultaneously participating
in counter-piracy operations off the Somali
coast as part of Operation Atalanta. Another
important issue is the ongoing dispute over
offshore mineral resources located between
Crete and the Libyan coast. These include
significant reserves of oil and natural gas, as
well as strategic minerals such as manganese,
nickel and cobalt. Here too, the presence of the
Hellenic Navy plays an important role.
During the recent US-led conflict with
Iran, the Hellenic Navy maintained a strictly
defensive and precautionary posture. Rather
than participating in offensive operations
against Iranian territory, it concentrated on
safeguarding regional stability and maritime
security. Among its principal tasks was the
deployment of the frigates Kimon and Psara to
waters off Cyprus, operating alongside Hellenic
Air Force F-16 fighters to help protect allied
military infrastructure following Iranian drone
attacks on the British RAF Akrotiri air base.
In the Red Sea, Hellenic Navy warships
continued their contribution to the protection of
international shipping lanes. Operating as part
of the multinational maritime security effort,
they escorted merchant vessels and intercepted
Houthi drones and anti-ship missiles in the
strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Hellenic naval base at Souda Bay, Crete,
also played a significant supporting role,
serving as a key logistics and operational
hub for US naval forces, including the aircraft
carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. In addition, Greek-
operated Patriot surface-to-air missile
batteries contributed to the protection of allied
military facilities in the region.
Returning to Piraeus, the crews conducting
the tours were able to provide commentary
in both Greek and English, a service greatly
appreciated by foreign visitors. Overall,
the Hellenic Navy deserves high praise for
organising an exceptionally well-prepared
event conducted in a friendly and welcoming
atmosphere.
HELLENIC NAVY OPEN DAY
INFO Eduard38
July 2026