HS AJIOS

Builders: Bremer Vulcan

Launched: 9 July 1968
Commissioned: 9-3-1993
Length (m): 114,4
Beam (m): 13,2
Draught (m): 4,5
Tonnage(t): 4487
Speed (knots): 17
Main machinery: MAYBACH 872 2 x 3.000 PS
Transport Capacity: DIESEL oil 2442 tonnes Fresh Water 203 m 38 K/B ΕΧΟCET

AST AJIOS was shipbuilded on 1968 at FLENSBURGER SCHIFFBACKGESELLSCHAFT shipyards of Germany and was under the services of the German Navy as T.S. COBURG. In September of 1991 concessed to the Hellenic Navy by Germany under the frame of bilateral military cooperation.The ceremony of concession and rise of the Greek Flag took place at Souda Naval Base on 25th of September 1991.

AST AJIOS was given the name of the biggest river of Macedonia. AJIOS river springs from mountain Skardos at Albanian - Yugoslavian borders and after 330 km enters Greek territory and debouches to Thermaikos gulf. AJIOS river was already known from Ancient times. Characteristic is Homer's Iliad reference: «Evrireontos Axiou, ou Kalistou edor epikendate aian». During antiquity was named «Axeios» and «Naxeos», while in Byzantine period was reported as «Vardareos» or «Vardares». Hellenic Navy had under his command ship's with the name «AJIOS» as below: 1. Minesweeper/Minelayer AJIOS was a British MERSEY type warship which shipbuilded in 1925. In 1938 was bought from Greek Royal Navy and retrofitted to Minesweeper/Minedropper. It had 325 tons displacement and maximum speed of 9 knots. It participated in many operations during 1940-1941 period. Scuppered in 28th April 1941 outside Syro's island by German military aircraft. 2. Landing Ship LST AJIOS was also a British MERSEY type warship which shipbuilded in 1943. It served British Navy as HMS LST 3007 till 26th of April 1947 when It was concessed by leasing to Greek Royal Navy. It was used for military and national transportations. In 1959 returned to British Navy in Malta.