In the presence of the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecorni, the ceremony for the launching of the Greek frigate “Kimon” took place today at the shipyards of the Naval company, in Lorient, France.

Watch the video of the launching ceremony:

Nikos Dendias, who inspected the frigate of the Greek Navy, stated that he feels great joy and honor to be today on the deck of this new state-of-the-art frigate, which is estimated to sail in Greek waters in 2025. “We are moving into a new era, in the 21st century,” said the Greek minister, emphasizing that the frigate “Kimon” and the other two frigates that will follow will be the tip of the spear of the Greek Navy and will act as agents of peace and stability , but also of projecting power in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. Nikos Dendias also underlined that the Mitsotakis government, like every Greek government, is absolutely determined to defend the national space and said he was particularly moved to have the honor of being the minister who receives this state-of-the-art ship.

Nikos Dendias referred with particularly warm words to the partnership and the strong long-term ties between Greece and France. A relationship that, as he said, “is based on solidarity and, if required, on mutual assistance to deal with any attack against the territorial integrity of the two countries, on the basis of course of international law.” The acquisition of this frigate is a source of pride for the officers of the Greek navy, the Minister of Defense also underlined, stressing that the “Kimon” continues the tradition of Greece, for two and a half thousand years, as a naval power.

The frigate construction program is a factor of cooperation between the French and Greek shipbuilding industries, said Nikos Dendias, who concluded by underlining the important role played by former minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos regarding the construction of the frigates.

From the French side, Sébastien Lecorniou underlined the strong ties of friendship between Greece and France and welcomed the constructive role of Nikos Dendias both as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the past and as the Minister of Defense in recent months.

The French minister said that if there is a European partner of France with common views on a number of issues, it is Greece, stressing that this is reflected primarily in defense cooperation. Sébastien Lecorniou expressed gratitude to Greece for the trust it shows in French technology, noting that it will always be at Greece’s disposal.

Technical characteristics and weapon systems

This is the first of the three FDI HN frigates, known as “Belharra”, of the Navy that will join the Greek fleet in the coming years.

The “Kimon” frigate has a displacement of 4,500 tons, a length of about 122 meters, a maximum speed of 27 knots, a crew of 120 people and incorporates advanced digital technologies.

These include, among others, the integrated sensor network PSIM (Panoramic Sensor Intelligence Module), where almost all of the warship’s sensor systems are gathered, the advanced CAPTAS-4 type sonar and the full digital Sea Fire radar.

Afterwards, Mr. Dendias will go to the Naval Group’s facilities in Lorient, where he will be welcomed by the head of the Naval Group Vice-Admiral Ioannis Drymousis PN and will inspect the shipbuilding works of the “Newarchos” frigate.

Subsequently, at 16:00 local time, the Minister of National Defense, accompanied by his French counterpart and the head of the General Staff, will visit the “Kimon” frigate and attend its launching ceremony.