Greek Navy: First FDI Frigate ‘Kimon’ Set to Deliver – Dominance in the Eastern Med!”

Kimon’ Makes History

The first Greek FDI frigate, ‘Kimon’, began sea trials in Lorient on May 21, leveraging lessons from the French Amiral Ronarc’h.

• Phase 1: Testing propulsion and navigation systems.
• Phase 2: Combat systems and operational endurance.

Delivery in December 2025 will mark a new era of modernization and naval capability for the Hellenic Navy.

Absolute Naval Superiority

FDI frigates are multi-mission vessels built for all types of naval warfare:

• Air defense
• Anti-submarine warfare
• Anti-ship operations
• Asymmetric threat countermeasures

Thanks to a digital ship architecture, the frigates can undergo continuous upgrades, ensuring decades of operational relevance.

Cyber-Hardened & Heavily Armed

• Two onboard data centers hosting virtualized ship software
• Dedicated combat computing gateway for UAVs, drone swarms, and fast attack craft
• Armament: 32 Aster missiles, 8 Exocet MM40 B3c, RAM, 76mm gun, MU-90 torpedoes, 2 CANTO countermeasure launchers
• Capacity for 10-ton helicopter and VTOL UAV

Technical Specifications

• Displacement: 4,500 tons
• Length: 122 meters
• Beam: 18 meters
• Max speed: 27 knots

With >25% participation by Greek defense industry, the country strengthens its national defense know-how while reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

Analysis: Strategic Implications for Greece

‘Kimon’ transforms the power balance in the Eastern Mediterranean. With three FDI frigates by 2026, the Hellenic Navy will:

• Boost naval deterrence
• Ensure operational flexibility
• Prepare for current and emerging threats

The FDI program is strategic, combining cutting-edge technology, heavy firepower, and domestic industrial participation, making it a key instrument of geopolitical influence.