Greece officially launched its third French-built FDI frigate, the Formion, at Naval Group’s shipyard in Brittany, France, marking another milestone in the country’s navy modernization program.
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced that negotiations for a fourth FDI frigate are 98% complete, with the contract expected to be signed within 2025.
“With the FDI frigates, we are building a reliable and strong deterrent force that expands Greece’s strategic footprint in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Dendias said aboard the first Greek frigate, Kimon.
The fourth frigate, to be named Themistocles, will cost under 800 million euros with France accepting Greece’s demand for 25% industrial returns worth 200 million euros to Greek defense companies.
Currently, 36 Greek naval officers are training in France, with 80 more training domestically and abroad.
The frigate’s radar system can detect targets beyond 350 kilometers. Greece is simultaneously modernizing four MEKO frigates at an estimated cost of 350 million euros and has secured Italy’s commitment to provide two FREMM Bergamini-type frigates by 2028 for approximately 500 million euros total. The ministry aims to maintain at least 10 modern surface vessels.