On Thursday, Greece marked a historic shift in its naval power as the Hellenic Navy officially took delivery of its first FDI-class (Belharra) frigate, the Kimon (F-601), during a ceremony at the Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France.
The ceremony featured the naming of the vessel and the first hoisting of the Greek flag, attended by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias. Addressing the audience, Dendias emphasized that the delivery represents “not just the handover of an exceptional ship, but the entrance of the Hellenic Armed Forces into a new era.”
He noted that the strategic partnership with France, which he personally signed years ago, remains “extremely warm” and vital to regional stability.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking from the European Council in Brussels, echoed these sentiments, stating that the “heart of Greece beats at the Lorient shipyard today” and that the Kimon is tangible proof of the country’s commitment to modernizing its deterrent capabilities.
The Kimon is scheduled to depart for Brest in the coming days to be fitted with its full armament. It is expected to arrive at the Salamis Naval Base in early 2026 for final commissioning.
The future of the FDI HN fleet
The delivery of the Kimon is the first step in a multi-billion euro program designed to replace Greece’s aging Elli-class frigates. While the original 2022 agreement focused on three ships, the program has since expanded to a fleet of four modern warships.
- HS Nearchos (F-602): The second frigate was launched in September 2024 and is currently undergoing sea trials. It is expected to be delivered to Greece in early 2027.
- HS Formion (F-603): The third vessel followed with its launch in mid-2025 and is scheduled for delivery in late 2027.
- HS Themistokles (F-600): In November 2025, Greece officially signed a €982 million contract to activate the option for a fourth frigate. Unlike the first two “Standard-1” ships, the Themistokles will be built in the enhanced Standard-2++ configuration, featuring 32 Aster-30 missiles and advanced digital defensive systems. It is slated for delivery in 2029.
Technical specifications: A “digital” shield
The FDI (Frégate de défense et d’intervention) frigates are the first in the world to be “digitally integrated” from the design phase. Key features include:
Sea Fire Radar: A state-of-the-art multi-function radar from Thales with four fixed panels, providing 360° permanent surveillance and the ability to track hundreds of targets simultaneously.
Superior Armament: Armed with Aster 30 anti-air missiles, Exocet MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles, RAM point defense systems, and MU90 torpedoes.
Cyber Security: These are the first warships natively protected against cyber-attacks, featuring dual data centers to manage all on-board applications.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
