Tuesday, October 7, 2014
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and the government Vice-President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, among other dignitaries. The premier stated that "It’s unimaginable for a marine superpower like our country not to have the equivalent shipbuilding infrastructure it already has," while it sends a message of power in all directions.
On his part, Avramopoulos said that "with this highly symbolic launching ceremony which is held according to our Navy’s traditions, the submarine Pipinos is integrated in the Hellenic Fleet..." He further noted that the commissioning of submarines proves the country’s capability to build high technology weapon systems.
Pipinos - a type 214 diesel-electric vessel - is the first submarine to be constructed in Greece, and one of three commissioned by the navy. It is noted that the name pays tribute to Andreas Pipinos who was a fighter in the Greek War of Independence, noted for his success with fireships.
See also Ministry of National Defence: Launching ceremony of submarine Pipinos
