The celebration for the naming and addition of the new Fast Attack Missile Craft “LT VLAHAKOS” in the Hellenic Navy, which took place in the presence of PM Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Fast Boats Command, was also attended by the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos.

The ceremony, held at Skaramangas Naval Fort, was also attended by the President of the Hellenic Parliament Mr. Konstantinos Tassoulas, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, the Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Mr. Konstantinos Katsafados, the Deputy Minister to the PM Mr. Ioannis Bratakos, the Chief/HNDGS General Konstantinos Floros, the General Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence Mr. Antonios Oikonomou, the Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Haralambos Laloussis, the Chief/HNGS Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis, and the Deputy Chief/HAFGS Major General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.

The MPs of A’ and B’ Piraeus Constituency, members of the Parliamentary Committee on National Defence and Foreign Affairs, representatives of the Regional and Local Administration, former ministers and relatives of the fallen heroes of the Hellenic Navy at Imia, were also present at the evet which was officiated by their Eminence the Metropolitans of Nikaia Alexios, and of Mani Hrisostomos. The boat’s name was given by the brother of the Hero, Mr. Nikolaos Vlahakos.

The Minister of National Defence made an address, underlining the following:

“Your Excellency, President of the Hellenic Parliament,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a very important day for the Hellenic Navy. I am very honoured and delighted to having been given the opportunity to attend and address the naming and addition of the torpedo boat “LT VLAHAKOS” in the Hellenic Navy.

This state-of-the-art task force is the seventh of this type received by the Hellenic Navy, and it is one more force multiplier for our Armed Forces’ combat capability. It is an addition of very high value for our Fleet’s capability to promote our country’s maritime power in the Aegean Sea and the East Mediterranean.

Its addition in the Hellenic Navy, despite the delays, finally concludes a vital programme for the Armed Forces’ operational capabilities, while also promoting the possibility prospect for the Greek industry; the credit for all this should be given to the employees of the Elefsis shipyards, in consequence of their contribution.

The Ministry of National Defence proceeded, without hesitating, with the issue of completing the Hellenic Navy programme in the Elefsis Shipyards, so that the last torpedo boat of this programme would be attributed to it. This fact keenly proved the Government’s determination to immediately enhance and upgrade our resources with state-of-the-art technologies; this is also depicted to the ongoing programmes of acquiring and shipping new units, as well as of recruiting specialised personnel.

We should mention in particular the personnel of the Hellenic Navy whose mission is to fulfil this difficult task, by completing any pending works, so that the vessel will be fully operational as fast as possible.

Since I referred to the personnel of the Armed Forces, allow me to take this opportunity and also add the following: The political leadership has every confidence in the military leadership, the Chief/HNDGS, the Chiefs of the general Staffs, the entire military leadership. I repeat: the entire military leadership, which was selected by the Government, through the institutional role of the Governmental Council on Foreign Policy and National Defence.

This leadership has already proved that it is efficient when times are hard. Now, when a threat against our country is more than obvious, we all have to assist, as we can and when we should, the military leadership so that it can, undistracted, perform its task – protect the country. We have a lot of work ahead of us. A mere example of this work stands exactly behind us, and it is this great ship.

However, considering the cosmogony that has been taking place in the past three years, in the context of the overall effort to upgrade the Hellenic Armed Forces’ capabilities, one should be able to understand that we have a lot of work behind us. Naturally, we also have a lot of work ahead of us, in difficult circumstances, not only financially and geopolitically, but also – and I will say this just like I feel it – within a current climate where action somehow provokes more – and often unfair – criticism than failure to act. Yet, the job must be done, and it will be done, through the excellent cooperation of the Political and Military Leadership, without fear or favour.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are living in a very unstable geopolitical environment. The daily activity and presence of the Hellenic Navy in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean contributes to our region’s defence and security, and it ensures our national interests, actively proving that “Great is the might of the sea”.

Dear family members of the hero Lieutenant Vlahakos, we are today standing with gratitude, emotion, reverence and pride, before the ship that bears his name, paying tribute to his sacrifice. This way, his presence at the seas will keep his memory eternal.

In conclusion, I would like to wish the Commander and crew of the boat “LT VLAHAKOS” to have nice sails, safe seas and Saint Nicholas always by their bow. You are the guardians and successors of a large heritage; make us proud “with unstoppable force”.

“Thank you”.