The Government of Greece has decided to exercise the option to purchase a fourth FDI frigate – designated by the Hellenic Navy as the Kimon class – which will be named HS Themistocles (F-600). The decision, announced after the meeting of the Government Council for National Security Affairs (KYSEA), will be submitted to a vote in the Hellenic Parliament next week.
The contract, valued at 982 million euros, includes not only the construction of the new unit but also the modernization of the three frigates already contracted — HS Kimon, HS Nearhos, and HS Formion — to the 2++ standard, which will incorporate improvements in combat systems, sensors, integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the future capability to launch cruise missiles from the European ELSA program.
Although the original program, signed in March 2022 for 5 billion dollars, already included the option for a fourth frigate, all are being built by Naval Group in Lorient, France, with participation from Greek industry. As for the current state of the program, we know that the first unit, named HS Kimon (F-601), is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025 in Standard 1 configuration, with its upgrade to Standard 2+ planned for 2027 and to Standard 2++ in 2029.
In this line, the second unit, HS Nearhos (F-602), launched in September 2024, is currently in the system integration and port trials phase, with delivery scheduled for 2025. Meanwhile, the third frigate, HS Formion (F-603), had its keel-laying ceremony in April 2024, with construction advancing toward delivery in 2026, one year after the Nearhos.
Finally, the incorporation of a fourth FDI frigate responds to the Hellenic Navy’s need to modernize its surface fleet and replace the veteran Elli-class anti-submarine frigates of Dutch origin (originally the Kortenaer class), in service since the 1980s. In a context of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, these units will provide Greece with top-tier air defense and naval projection capabilities, interoperable with NATO and EU allies.
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias emphasized that the Themistocles “is not simply a fourth frigate, but a platform with expanded capabilities that will mark a qualitative leap in Greek naval defense.” Finally, the Themistocles will be delivered in December 2028 in Standard 2+ configuration and will reach Standard 2++ in March 2030.
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes
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