Vosper Thornycroft Shipbuilding has strengthened its reputation as one of the world's leading suppliers of naval vessels by unveiling its next generation of corvette designs at an international defence exhibition in Athens.

The 100m design takes into account successful ships built for the Royal Navy of Oman in the 1990s, in addition to embracing VT's latest research and development activity. The new corvette has far greater capability than previous designs, besides taking into account the latest advances in stealth and propulsion technology.

Ideally suited for navies wanting a versatile and cost-effective solution to their exclusive economic zone responsibilities, the corvette is particularly relevant to any future requirements of the Hellenic Navy.

The design projects considerable firepower with a medium calibre gun, utilising the latest stealth mounting, and two small calibre weapons, along with eight surface-to-surface missiles, close-in-weapons system, a vertical launch missile silo capable of housing both surface-to-air and anti-submarine missiles and two twin torpedo launchers.

Alec Duncan, VT Shipbuilding's Hellenic sales director, explained: "As EEZ responsibilities grow, many navies have the need for a bigger, more capable ship to carry out these tasks. The new VT corvette takes into account the best features of ships we have supplied in recent years with the latest advances in technology and platform design."

The latest electronic warfare suite is also included in the design which has both hull mounted and towed array sonar capability. In addition a flight deck and hangar can accommodate helicopters up to Seahawk S70B size.

Taking into account recent developments in stealth technology, the design of the bulwarks provides an effective shield for key operational equipment, while other special features have been built in to combat the ships' IR, radar cross signature, noise and magnetic outputs.

The twin screw vessel is available with either a CODOG or CODAG propulsion configuration, capable of producing a speed of over 30 knots, while particular attention has been paid in the design to survivability and good seakeeping. Crew numbers are just over 100.

The design draws on the expertise throughout the VT Group with two seven metre Halmatic RIBs, as used by our own Royal Navy.

VT machinery controls and stabilisers, as supplied to navies throughout the world, are also included.