The start of negotiations for the supply of a fourth type frigate Belharraas well as a broad program of modernization of a series of ships of the Navy, announced from the shipyards of the Naval Group in Lorient, France, the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias, during the launching ceremony of the second frigate of this type, – known as Belharra, of “Newarchos”. “Kimon” has already been promoted and “Formion” is following. In fact, the minister talked about the new advanced strategic weapons of the new frigates, such as the SCALP NAVAL missile.

Mr. Dendias is accompanied by the Chief of Naval Operations, General Dimitrios Houpis and the Chief of General Directorate of Defense Vice-Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras PN, while the CEO of Skaramanga Shipyards Miltiadis Varvitsiotis also attended the launching ceremony.

Watch video of the launch ceremony:

“We are strengthening our presence in the Eastern Mediterranean”

“The launching of the frigate “NEARCHOS” is yet another important milestone for our Navy and the Armed Forces of the Country. Another step towards the implementation of the “2030” Agenda. It confirms the strong will and commitment of the Mitsotakis Government to strengthening the National Defense. It serves the goal and the firm commitment of the entire political system: Ensuring national sovereignty, security and the conditions for the progress and prosperity of the country and the Greek people,” said the Minister of National Defense and added:

“We are strengthening our presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, protecting, at the same time, the borders and the interests of the European Union. Never questioning the legal rights of other countries in the region. Always respecting the rules of International Law and those provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. On the basis of protecting our common European values. For the Europe of peace, democracy, human rights and individual freedoms. Values, the defense of which we hope all countries in the region will adopt”.

Mr. Dendias emphasized that France’s relationship with Greece is long and close. “It is based on shared values ​​and goals, especially in the field of Defense and Security. The Agreement on the Establishment of the Strategic Partnership for Defense and Security Cooperation, which I had the honor to sign on September 28, 2021, confirms this relationship. As a result of this close cooperation between our countries, the “NEARCHOS” frigate is the second newly built naval platform of a multifaceted armament program. Which was founded during the Ministry of my dear friend Nikos Panagiotopoulos. The Program is now moving to the next phase. As amended, it has become part of the “2030” Agenda.

4th Belharra Announced – ‘Scalp Naval’ Missiles on New Frigates

During the event, the Minister of National Defense announced that Greece is starting the procedures to acquire a fourth frigate of the same type.

“I am pleased to announce today Greece’s intention to start negotiations with the aim of acquiring another frigate, the fourth of the same type. Which will come to be added to KIMONA, NEARCHOS and PHORMIONE. Thus strengthening our Navy even more”.

The new advanced strategic weapons of the new frigates will also be a power factor, he emphasized and added:

“NEARCHOS, like FORMION and the fourth frigate, incorporate technologies that provide new capabilities to their arsenal. These frigates will be able to carry him SCALP NAVAL missile. Perhaps the most advanced cruise missile, which can hit strategic targets at long distances (over 1000 km) and with great precision. This addition was included in the 12-year Long-term Planning of Defense Equipment, accompanied by a 20-year horizon, which was presented to the Prime Minister, the BtE will be informed and it will be adopted by the KYSEA. It will allow our country to respond to any challenge that may arise.”

Mr. Dendias underlined that with the shipbuilding program of the 4 BELHARA frigates, with the modernization programs of the MEKO frigates, the ROUSSEN missiles, but also of our submarines, which will immediately begin to be implemented in Greece, with the acquisition of the four ISLAND patrol boats , which will soon join our fleet, with the country’s future participation in the design and then the construction of the new CONSTELATION frigate, with our participation in the Eurocorvette program, with the creation of a missile impregnable surface wall in the Aegean, with the promotion of a series of smaller in size but large in operational value programs, but also the construction of new submarines at the end of the decade and always within the country’s fiscal limits, “we are taking the absolutely necessary steps to modernize and operationally upgrade our Navy and Armed Forces .”

“I have repeatedly said that Greece’s goal now is not to simply buy weapons off the shelf, but to participate with an increased percentage in the co-production of the defense systems it procures”, he noted, mentioning that the participation of the Greek defense industry in shipbuilding of these frigates is a matter of great importance for us. “25 contracts have already been signed with Greek companies. And we set as the first goal in the specific program to increase the percentage of Greek participation from 12 to 15%”, he pointed out.

The minister stated that cooperation with French companies and especially the NAVAL GROUP is not opportunistic. “Our intention is to develop into a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship, with the Greek Innovation Center that we recently established as a vehicle, with the aim of opening new horizons for our industrial development and our participation in global defense initiatives. In this context, the organization of the first Greece-France Innovation Symposium is being prepared.”

Mr. Dendias said that today’s launch is not a formal ceremony but confirms our commitment, as a country with a long maritime tradition, to safeguarding peace and stability. “The NEARCHOS frigate strengthens our national deterrent power. It confirms our position as a reliable ally and a strong actor in the Eastern Mediterranean. I want to thank the officers of our Navy, Armed Forces and our partners from France for your work, your dedication and your professionalism. It is your contribution that makes this day a reality.”

In a related post, earlier Nikos Dendias said: “Arrival at the Lann-Bihoué Air Base in France, where an official reception was held by the French authorities, before going to the Naval Group Shipyards in Lorient, for the launching ceremony of the new Frigate FDI IS “Newarchos”.

Frigate NEARCHOS

The launch of “Nearchos”, the second FDI HN frigate – known as Belh@rra – of the “Kimon” class, which is being built at the shipyards of the Naval Group, in Lorient, France, on behalf of the Greek Navy, was carried out with all ceremony.

This is the second of the three FDI HN frigates (Kimon, Nearchos and Formion) known as “Belharra”, of the Navy, which will join the Greek fleet in the coming years.

The frigate “Nearchos” has a displacement of 4,500 tons, a length of approximately 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 anti-submarine warfare sonar, type CAPTAS-4 and the full digital Sea Fire radar.

The FDI HN program is in full swing

The F/C “KIMON” was launched in October 2023, followed by “NEARCHOS” and “FORMION” takes its turn. The three frigates will be delivered in 2025 and 2026.

FDI, the first digital frigate

The FDI HN frigate is a 4,500-ton offshore warship. A multi-mission and particularly resilient ship, it has 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 benefits from 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.

Technical specifications:

  • Displacement: 4,500 tons
  • Length: approx. 122 meters
  • Width: 18 meters
  • Maximum speed: 27 knots
  • Aerial Media Facilities: 10-ton class helicopter, VTOL Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
  • Main Armaments:
  • 32 Aster missiles developed by MBDA
  • 8 Exocet MM40 B3C missiles developed by MBDA
  • RAM rockets
  • MU 90 torpedoes developed by Naval Group
  • 76mm gun
  • 4 torpedo tubes
  • CANTO countermeasures developed by Naval Group