Greece's Navy orders fourth French-built FDI frigate to boost naval capabilities.

As reported by Ekathimerini on June 4, 2025, Greece is expected to finalize by the end of 2025 a contract for a fourth FDI Belharra-class frigate from France’s Naval Group, as confirmed by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias during the ceremonial launching of HS Formion (F-603) at the Lorient shipyard in Brittany. This fourth vessel, likely to be named HS Themistocles, will be added to the initial agreement signed in March 2022 for three frigates and is projected to cost under €1 billion. According to Dendias, the contract will include industrial returns equal to 25 percent of the frigate’s value, reinvested into the Greek defense sector through subcontracts, follow-on support, and potential co-development work.
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The Greek Belharra frigates are more heavily armed than the French Navy’s own vessels, as the French Amiral Ronarc’h-class ships are delivered without close-in weapon systems (CIWS), electronic countermeasure (ECM) systems, or RAM launchers. (Picture source: Naval Group)

The announcement follows previous discussions with French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu in April 2025. These talks addressed ongoing French deliveries to Greece, such as Rafale fighter aircraft, NH90 helicopters, Exocet missile systems, and the Belharra program. All three ordered Greek frigates, HS Kimon (F-601), HS Nearchos (F-602), and HS Formion (F-603), are now afloat and at different stages of construction at Naval Group’s Lorient site. HS Kimon was launched in October 2023 and is undergoing sea trials. HS Nearchos, launched in September 2024, has been transferred for outfitting and will begin harbor trials after summer 2025. HS Formion was launched on June 4, 2025, in a ceremony attended by Greek and French military and government officials. The three ships were moored side by side along the Scorff River for the first time. Kimon and Nearchos are being configured to the Standard-2 version in France, a change from initial plans to complete that phase in Greece. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between late 2025 and 2026, with the potential fourth frigate joining the fleet by 2028.

Each Kimon-class frigate displaces approximately 4,500 tons, measures 122 meters in length and 17.7 meters in width, and is powered by a CODAD propulsion system allowing a maximum speed of 27 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles. The Greek configuration includes 32 Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles launched from Sylver A50 vertical launchers, a 21-cell RAM Block 2B system for point defense, eight MM40 Block 3C Exocet anti-ship missiles, MU90 torpedoes, and a 76mm main gun. Two dual torpedo tubes and Sylena Mk1 decoy launchers with CANTO countermeasures are also installed. Each frigate has a flight deck and hangar supporting either an MH-60R Seahawk or Schiebel Camcopter S-100 UAV. Five S-100 systems have been purchased for the fleet, and crews are undergoing dedicated training both in Lorient and in Greece.

The sensor suite includes the Thales Sea Fire fixed-panel AESA radar, Kingklip Mark 2 hull sonar, CAPTAS-4 towed sonar, and the Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM), currently installed on HS Kimon. Greek frigates will also be equipped with an integrated electronic warfare system, with the Virgilius-IEWS system developed by ELT Group expected to be integrated. Unlike the French Navy’s Amiral Ronarc’h-class vessels, delivered without CIWS and ECM systems, the Greek ships include these elements from the start. Production adjustments in 2024 reassigned ships initially intended for France to Greek orders to meet delivery timelines. Some critical sections of these ships, including the helicopter hangar and bow segments, were produced in Greece by Salamis Shipyards before being shipped to France for assembly.

The Belharra program is part of a broader naval modernization strategy. Greece is considering acquiring two used Carlo Bergamini-class frigates from Italy and upgrading two of its four MEKO-class Hydra frigates, with the remaining two possibly decommissioned. Greece’s Ministry of Defense aims to conclude these upgrades and acquisitions between 2028 and 2029. The future acquisition of four to seven U.S. Constellation-class frigates under Foreign Military Sales is also being evaluated to replace the remaining MEKO and Elli-class vessels. If all options are exercised, Greece’s surface combatant fleet could total between eight and twelve frigates. Other elements of the modernization plan include new corvette programs, fast attack craft renewal, and the development of special operations craft such as the indigenous Agenor SOC.

The program includes high levels of Greek industrial participation. Salamis Shipyards has manufactured blocks for all three FDI HN frigates and similar parts for French Navy units. Approximately 70 Greek companies are integrated into Naval Group’s supply chain, with 23 contracts signed and ten more expected. According to Salamis Shipyards’ CEO, the facility has also submitted proposals for Greece’s upcoming national OPV project and plans to invest €15 million over five years. Beyond naval vessels, the shipyard has experience in reactivating former U.S. Island-class patrol boats and is developing unmanned surface vessels and submersible drones. However, Greek industry lacks a government-backed refundment guarantee system, which could hinder its ability to compete internationally despite comparable quality and lower costs than some European builders.

The strategic rationale for this acquisition is linked to increasing regional tensions, particularly in response to Türkiye’s naval buildup and its “Blue Homeland” maritime doctrine. Greek officials consider the Belharra frigates as a tool to reinforce naval deterrence in the Eastern Mediterranean and to implement the 2021 bilateral defense agreement with France. The future fourth frigate is expected to include Sylver A70 vertical launchers capable of deploying MdCN cruise missiles with strike ranges above 1,000 kilometers. Greece's defense ministry has linked this effort to its broader role in EU defense initiatives, including the SAFE regulation and the ReArm industrial framework. The ships are named after ancient Greek admirals, Kimon, Nearchos, Formion, and the proposed Themistocles, and represent the continuation of Hellenic Navy traditions, including names previously used for former U.S.-built destroyers.