LIONFISH 20 weapon systems have been installed by MSI Defense Solutions on former U.S. Coast Guard cutters that are being transferred to the Hellenic Navy through a Foreign Military Sales program overseen by the Coast Guard, the company announced.
MSI Defense Solutions said it completed the integration of the Leonardo LIONFISH 20, a stabilized, remotely operated naval gun, on one of the vessels headed to Greece. The work delivers a modernized, mission-ready capability for an allied maritime partner.
The integration package covered structural reinforcement of ship components, turret mounting changes, electronics integration, and upgrades to the command and control station. The LIONFISH 20 pairs a 20 mm gun with a coaxial sensor suite featuring a daylight camera, infrared sensor, and a laser range finder. The setup supports autonomous surveillance, target identification, and precision aiming from a remote console.
According to the company, MSI produced and executed installation and testing plans to validate system performance and ensure platform compatibility. Verification included structural load analysis, recoil force assessments, modeling for various sea states, and stability calculations related to the added weight. Testing and evaluation took place outside the continental United States to confirm operational safety and readiness before delivery.
“This program reflects what MSI has been building toward since we began maritime integrations in 2021, a proven, repeatable capability to modernize legacy naval platforms and deliver mission-ready lethality to allied partners,” said Nguyen Trinh, CEO and president of MSI Defense Solutions. He added that integrating a stabilized remote weapon system within the constraints of a transferred vessel is technically complex and showcases MSI’s role in the FMS ecosystem.
Established expertise in LIONFISH 20 weapon systems integration
The company said it has carried out maritime weapon integrations since 2021, largely in support of FMS cases that modernize excess U.S. government platforms before they move to partner fleets. Its portfolio includes remote weapon station integration, ammunition storage solutions, electrical upgrades, structural reinforcement, and command-and-control development, all engineered for the spatial and stability limits of legacy ships.
MSI cited a track record with the Departments of Homeland Security, Navy, and Air Force, combined with experience in complex integrations under firm fixed-price contracts, as the basis for delivering maritime modernization programs that require technical rigor and schedule discipline.
The company stated it remains focused on intelligent maritime integration that enhances lethality, safety, and operational effectiveness, including on legacy and transferred hulls with tight spatial and structural margins.
Context
Four Island-class coastal patrol vessels joined the Hellenic Navy in January 2025. Leonardo’s LIONFISH remote gun systems are also fitted on the Hellenic Navy’s FDI HN frigates.
The arrival of additional armed patrol vessels adds to a period of visible naval activity in the region, following high-profile movements such as the USS Theodore Roosevelt in Yokosuka marks rare carrier visit.