The Hellenic Navy Mark V Special Operations Craft (SOC) has completed refitting/modernization. Their armament in Hellenic Navy service include two M2HB 12.7mm heavy machine guns at the rear close to the launch ramp and two FN MAG 7.62mm general purpose machine guns or two Mk19 40mm grenade launchers amidships. They usually carry one or two inflatable Zodiac rubber boats and there is enough space to accommodate and launch a small UAV.
Four boats were delivered to Greece via the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme on 6 April 2020 and are currently in use by the Underwater Demolition Command of the Hellenic Navy. The EDA arrangement, worth USD8 million, is expected to see the transfer of the speedboats to the Hellenic Navy’s elite special warfare Underwater Demolition Command (DYK), which has five underwater demolition teams commonly known as OYK.
The Mark V SOC was a patrol and special forces insertion boat used by the United States Navy and manufactured by VT Halter Marine Inc (Gulfport, Mississippi). It was introduced into service with the US Navy SEALs in 1995. It is commonly referred to as the “Mark V.1 Patrol Boat” in official U.S. Navy documents. The craft has enough room to carry four Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts with six outboard motors (2 spares) and fuel, to deploy forces from a clandestine distance.
The Mark V has the capacity to carry sixteen fully equipped special forces to missions 500 miles (800 km) away from where they are based. They ride on seats that are designed for maximum comfort and shock mitigation in high seas or heavy maneuvering, and allows occupants to either stand or sit. Its length is 25 meters, weighs 57 tons in operational configuration and achieves a speed greater than 50 knots (cruising speed about 30 knots).
