Greece approves acquisition of four Italian FREMM Bergamini frigates for Eastern Mediterranean operations.

Greece has approved the acquisition of four Italian FREMM Bergamini-class frigates to rebuild the Hellenic Navy’s high-end combat capability and sustain long-duration operations across the Eastern Mediterranean, with KYSEA confirming the decision on May 18, 2026, after months of negotiations with Rome. The move gives Athens a faster path to modern anti-submarine warfare and area air defense capacity at a time when aging Elli-class frigates, rising maritime competition with Türkiye, and expanding NATO operational demands are increasing pressure on Greek naval readiness.

The future fleet will combine French FDI HN Belharra frigates, Italian FREMMs, and upgraded MEKO 200HN warships into a standardized twelve-frigate force optimized for anti-submarine warfare, layered air defense, and helicopter-supported sea control. The inclusion of the ASW-configured ITS Virginio Fasan with CAPTAS-4 sonar, Aster missile capability, and long-endurance deployment capacity significantly strengthens Greece’s ability to monitor submarine activity, protect maritime infrastructure, and maintain a persistent naval presence across the Eastern Mediterranean.

Related topic: Greece to sign deal for up to four FREMM Bergamini frigates with Italy by April 2026

Following a bilateral cooperation agreement signed in September 2025, Greece will initially acquire two second-hand Bergamini-class vessels to replace aging Elli-class ships and address critical capability gaps in the Eastern Mediterranean. (Picture source: Fincantieri)

On May 18, 2026, the Greek Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) approved the acquisition of four Italian Navy FREMM Bergamini-class frigates for the Hellenic Navy under a phased 2+2 structure, following the naval cooperation agreement signed in La Spezia in September 2025 by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. Greece plans to initially procure two ships, followed by an option for two additional units under the Agenda 2030 modernization program covering naval recapitalization, anti-drone systems, encrypted communications, command-and-control infrastructure, and autonomous systems.

The future fleet structure of the Hellenic Navy is intended to combine four French-built FDI HN Belharra-class frigates, four Italian FREMM Bergamini-class frigates, and four upgraded German MEKO 200HN frigates while progressively replacing the eight remaining Dutch Elli-class ships commissioned between 1978 and 1982. The procurement addresses declining Elli-class availability, capability gaps created by the suspension of the corvette program, and operational requirements tied to long-duration deployments in the Eastern Mediterranean. The procurement process began formally in September 2025 with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation and Declaration of Intent in La Spezia.

Greek naval delegations later inspected three Bergamini-class frigates (ITS Carlo Bergamini, ITS Virginio Fasan, and ITS Carlo Margottini) to evaluate propulsion systems, sonar architecture, maintenance condition, and remaining service life. On March 9, 2026, Nikos Dendias confirmed negotiations were expected to conclude by April 2026 before the acquisition advanced through the parliamentary armaments committee and received KYSEA approval on May 18, 2026. Italian Navy planning reportedly allocates the first two hulls for transfer once the replacement FREMM EVO frigates enter service between 2029 and 2030.

Greece selected second-hand ships because equivalent new-construction frigates would not enter service before the early 2030s. The acquisition process also coincided with the approval of MEKO modernization work at Skaramangas Shipyards and the implementation of the National Strategy for Unmanned Vehicles 2026-2030. The two frigates identified for transfer are ITS Carlo Bergamini (F 590) and ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591), both commissioned in 2013 under the Franco-Italian FREMM program jointly developed by Fincantieri and Naval Group.

The Carlo Bergamini entered service on May 29, 2013, as a General Purpose (GP) variant configured for surface warfare, maritime security, and fleet air defense, while the Virginio Fasan entered service on December 19, 2013, as an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) variant equipped with CAPTAS-4 variable-depth sonar and MILAS anti-submarine missile capability. The GP version carries eight Otomat Mk-2/A anti-ship missiles, dual Sylver A50 launch systems, and Leonardo Kronos Grand Naval AESA radar, but lacks the towed sonar array installed on the ASW variant. Both ships displace between 6,500 and 6,900 tons and are roughly 15 years newer than the oldest Elli-class frigates currently operated by Greece. 

At the same time, the Greek naval restructuring focuses on standardization of logistics, missile inventory, maintenance procedures, and operational doctrine across a future twelve-frigate fleet. The planned force combines four FDI HN frigates armed with Aster 30 missiles, four FREMM Bergamini frigates, and four upgraded MEKO 200HN frigates modernized domestically at Skaramangas Shipyards, while the remaining Elli-class frigates will stay operational temporarily. The FREMM acquisition also compensates for the suspension of the Greek corvette program after the 2022 budget reprioritization redirected funding toward more strategic air defense and naval recapitalization requirements.

Before selecting the Italian solution, Athens evaluated retired U.S. Littoral Combat Ships, participation in the Constellation-class program, and modified FREMM configurations integrating American combat systems. Greek naval planning increasingly prioritizes medium-range area air defense, long-range anti-submarine warfare, helicopter-supported sea control, and persistent Eastern Mediterranean deployments, due to maritime competition with Türkiye and NATO operational requirements. The Bergamini-class frigate measures 144 meters in length with a 19.7-meter beam, a 5.1-meter draft, and accommodation for up to 200 personnel.

Propulsion relies on a CODLAG arrangement combining diesel-electric propulsion and gas turbines, allowing speeds above 27 knots and an operational range exceeding 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots. Combat systems integrate Leonardo AESA radar architecture, EMPAR multifunction radar systems, electronic warfare suites, integrated combat management systems, and NATO-compatible data-link capability. Armament includes Sylver A50 launch systems for Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles, Teseo/Otomat anti-ship missiles, MU90 torpedoes, a 127 mm OTO Melara gun capable of firing Vulcano guided ammunition, and a 76 mm Super Rapid gun equipped with Strales guided rounds.

Aviation facilities support NH90, MH-60R, and EH101 helicopters equipped with dipping sonar, sonobuoys, and torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance missions. Anti-submarine warfare capability constitutes one of the principal operational drivers behind the procurement, as Greek naval planning increasingly focuses on underwater surveillance and escort operations across the Eastern Mediterranean basin. The Virginio Fasan integrates CAPTAS-4 variable-depth sonar, hull-mounted sonar systems, MU90 torpedo launchers, and helicopter-enabled ASW capability optimized for submarine detection in Mediterranean acoustic conditions.

Athens also intends to align FREMM underwater warfare capability with future FDI HN frigates through common sonar architecture and standardized tactical doctrine. Helicopter operations will also significantly extend Greece's anti-submarine search radius through the deployment of airborne dipping sonar, sonobuoys, and torpedoes. Greek operational planning increasingly prioritizes underwater awareness because Turkish submarine modernization, autonomous underwater systems, and distributed surveillance networks complicate operations across the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. 

Greek naval air defense planning centers on missile standardization between the FREMM and FDI fleets through common Sylver launch systems and Aster 30 missiles. Athens is also examining the integration of the future ELSA missile family aboard both ship classes to reduce logistical fragmentation between French and Italian naval systems. Additional Aster-equipped FREMM frigates would increase the number of Hellenic Navy ships capable of providing medium-range area air defense for task groups and maritime infrastructure during Eastern Mediterranean deployments.

The naval air defense structure is linked to the broader Achilles Shield concept, integrating naval, land-based, and airborne defensive assets into a unified layered defense network. Greek planning increasingly emphasizes protection against missile saturation attacks, anti-ship cruise missiles, UAVs, and long-range precision-guided munitions while integrating USVs, UUVs, and networked maritime ISR systems into distributed fleet operations. 

Industrial participation associated with the FREMM acquisition is expected to involve Fincantieri in ship transfer, logistics, sustainment, maintenance support, crew training, and spare parts supply throughout the operational life of the two to four frigates. Previous industrial concepts examined cooperation between Fincantieri, ONEX, and Elefsis Shipyards, while the modernization of the MEKO 200HN fleet is scheduled to take place domestically at Skaramangas Shipyards.

Estimates for the first two FREMM frigates range between €500 million and €700 million, depending on missile inventories, support contracts, sensor upgrades, training arrangements, and spare parts packages. The broader Greek defense modernization framework allocates approximately €28 billion between 2025 and 2036 for naval recapitalization, autonomous systems, anti-drone capability, and communications security modernization. Operationally, the FREMM acquisition expands Greek naval endurance beyond the Aegean theater while improving anti-submarine escort capability, task group operations, helicopter-supported maritime surveillance, and medium-range area air defense coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.