The keel laying of the first block of the third Greek FDI HN frigate – also known as Belharra – named “Formion” took place on April 15, at the Naval Group shipyard, in the city of Lorient, France.

As announced by the manufacturing company, this is “a symbolic milestone in the FDI HN program for the Greek Navy, as it marks the start of the assembly process of the third ship”.

The installation of the keel of “Formion” shows, continues the announcement of the Naval Group, the strong and long-term industrial cooperation between Greece and France.

Proof and confirmation of this, it is added, is the fact that the Salamina Shipyards have already delivered last February several pre-equipped blocks for the ship, which were manufactured in Greece at their facilities, through an integrated technology transfer offered by the Naval Group.

These blocks are now in the assembly process in Lorient along with the other “Formion” blocks.

It is a reminder that the FDI HN program is in full swing.

The Kimon frigate was launched in October 2023 while its PSIM (the mast called Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module) was installed in November of the same year.

The ship’s bay trials began in early March, with the ship’s electrical power distribution system being activated.

Her CMS has been activated on board since late March, with the latest version featuring several special features selected by the Navy.

The first 2 Aster 30 (A50 – Sylver®) vertical launch systems were installed in early April.

The second half of 2024 will see the start of sea trials for the “Kimon” frigate and the launch of the “Newarchos” frigate.

The Nearchos PSIM has already been transferred to the shore test area for a 5-month trial period, during which the commissioning of several PSIM systems will take place.

The PSIM will then be installed in “Nearchos”, a few days after the launch of the frigate.

The PSIM of “Formion” is already in the preparation phase. Wiring and pre-equipment of the section will begin soon. The last hull block is under construction at the Salamina Shipyards and will be delivered in July.

The three frigates will be delivered in 2025 and 2026.

FDI, the first digital frigate

The FDI HS frigate is a 4,500-ton offshore warship. It is a multi-mission and particularly resilient ship, with high-level capabilities in all areas of naval combat: anti-ship, anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and special forces projection, with unique capabilities against asymmetric threats.

It features Thales’ latest technological innovations in radar, sonar and electronic warfare.

Extremely heavily armed (MBDA Exocet MM40 B3C anti-surface missiles, and Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, RAM missiles, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, guns), the FDI HN frigate still has the capability and capacity to simultaneously embark a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle vehicle (UAV).

It incorporates all the know-how of all partners and subcontractors of the Naval Group, concludes the announcement of the manufacturing company.