La Combattante III-class fast attack craft
The La Combattante III type missile boats are two classes of fast attack craft built for the Hellenic Navy. The first group of four were ordered by Greece in September 1974 from France. The vessels had no class name but are referred to by type. They are similar to the La Combattante IIa-class fast attack craft already in service, but are larger and armed with torpedoes. A second group of six were ordered in 1978, to be built under license in Greece and use the Norwegian Penguin Mk 2 Mod 3 missiles. Since 2019, all the ships of the class use Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
HS Blessas (P-21) in 2011, before the mid-life modernization
Aerial photo of Simaioforos Xenos (HS P-27) La Combattante IIIb class FAC, in 1988
A fast attack craft (FAC) - also referred to as a PTG or a PCG - is a small, fast, agile, offensive, often affordable warship armed with anti-ship missiles, gun or torpedoes. FACs are usually operated in close proximity to land as they lack both the seakeeping and all-round defensive capabilities to survive in blue water. The size of the vessel also limits the fuel, stores and water supplies. Their displacements are usually under-700 tons and can reach speeds of 25+ knots or 46+ kph.
A fast attack craft of the Chilean Navy
US Navy 80 ft (24 m) Elco PT boats, led by PT-105, at high speed in 1942
A Komar-class missile boat launching a Styx missile
The Swedish Norrköping-class missile boat HSwMS Ystad