The Kimon-Class Frigates: Greece’s Naval Renaissance and an Overview of the FDI HN Program

By D-Mitch

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Kimon, first FDI HN frigate for Greece arriving at
Salamis Naval Base on January 15, 2026. 
Photo by Nick Thodos (@ThNick_ on X)

On the eve of Greek Independence Day, March 24, 2022, Greece launched the most consequential naval procurement program in decades. In a celebratory ceremony held on the deck of the legendary armored cruiser Georgios Averof, permanently moored as a museum ship at Paleo Faliro, the Hellenic Republic signed a landmark agreement with French defense manufacturers Naval Group, MBDA, and Thales. The contract provides for the acquisition of three Defence and Intervention Frigates (FDI) in Hellenic Navy configuration (FDI HN), with an option for a fourth vessel (3+1). All ships are being constructed in Lorient, France, with sections also built at Salamis Shipyards in Greece. The agreement includes their weapons package (missiles and torpedoes), CANTO anti-torpedo countermeasures as well as Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). The first frigate, Kimon, was officially commissioned into the Fleet on December 18, 2025 and arrived to Salamis Naval Base, Greece on January 15, 2026.

Greek Patrol Vessels Spotted With SPIKE NLOS Launchers

During a recent exercise conducted by the Hellenic Navy, two patrol vessels, Machitis (P-266) and Nikiforos (P-267) were observed equipped with Rafael SPIKE NLOS launchers at their aft sections. Naval News had previously reported on this development in its 2023 article titled “Greek Naval Vessels to be Fitted with SPIKE Missiles”. According to that report, the four Machitis-class (HSY-56A) patrol vessels will be fitted with the Typhoon MLS-NLOS system, capable of carrying eight SPIKE Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missiles per vessel. The 6th-generation, electro-optical/infrared multipurpose missile system will enable both sea-to-shore fire support and sea-to-sea targeting. My story for Naval News, here.

Greece Deploys FDI Frigate to Shield Cyprus Amid Iran Tensions

Greece moved swiftly to assist Cyprus, which has come under attack from hostile Iranian drones. Following a decision by the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA), the Hellenic Armed Forces are deploying the FDI HN frigate Kimon (F-601) which is currently the most advanced Greek warship and the only one capable to provide long-range air defense thanks to her SEAFIRE MFR and ASTER 30 SAM, an additional (Hydra-class/MEKO 200HN) frigate, Psara (F-454), that is also equipped with HAI's CENTAUR C-UAS system, and two pairs of F-16 Viper fighter jets to Cyprus, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced on March 2, 2026. My story for Naval News, here.

Greece procures CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS for FDI HN Frigates

On Febryary 13, 2026, the Hellenic Navy signed a contract to acquire four Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS for its Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates. The first system, each system with two S-100 air vehicles, will be deployed on frigate HS Kimon in spring 2026, alongside a land-based system for training, with initial crews completing training by the same period. Representing Naval News at DEFEA 2025, I first reported details on the Hellenic Navy’s S-100 programme in 2025, when Lubos Šrámek, Sales Director for Europe at Schiebel, shared exclusive insights into the S-100 CAMCOPTER UAS during an interview with me. My story for Naval News, here.

Senegalese Navy Conducted Historic First Anti-Ship Missile Launch

The Senegalese Navy announced on November 10, 2025, that it had reached a significant milestone in its operational development by successfully carrying out its first-ever anti-ship missile launch from one of its newest missile-equipped offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). At around 10:00 a.m. on November 9, the Walo-class (OPV 58S) vessel Cayor fired an MBDA MARTE Mk2/N lightweight anti-ship missile at a decommissioned CTM-type landing craft located approximately 15km away. The target ship had been loaded with shipping containers to increase its radar cross-section and to mimic a high-value target. The missile’s live warhead struck the containers with precision, though the landing craft itself remained afloat after the impact. The test was revealed to the public the following day, during the Journée des Forces Armées (Armed Forces Day), by Radio Télévision Sénégalaise (RTS). The missile launch represents the first-ever anti-ship missile launch from a Senegalese naval unit. My story for Naval News, here.

Hellenic Navy Receives Its First FDI Frigate Built by Naval Group

On December 18, 2025, in Lorient, France, Naval Group delivered HS Kimon (F601), the first Defense and Intervention Frigate (FDI HN) for the Hellenic Navy. The ceremony was attended by Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias and French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin. Also present were the Deputy Minister of National Defence; Members of Parliament; senior leadership of the Hellenic Armed Forces; former Ministers of Defence, retired generals and admirals; and donors to the Armed Forces, including the ship’s sponsor, Rear Admiral (h.c.) Panos Laskaridis. Diplomatic and industry representatives included the Greek Ambassador to France, the Ambassador of the French Republic to Greece, Naval Group Chairman & CEO Pierre Éric Pommellet, representatives of foreign diplomatic and military delegations, officials from Greek defense industries, and other distinguished guests. My story for Naval News, here.

Bulgaria’s First MMPV 90 Corvette Begins Sea Trials

The lead ship of the two 2,300 ton MMPV 90 corvettes for the Bulgarian Navy, a design by the German shipbuilder NVL Group and constructed by the local shipbuilder MTG Dolphin Shipyard in Varna, commenced sea trials. Roughly two years after MTG Dolphin Shipyard PLC launched the first of the Bulgarian Navy’s two new 90-meter, heavily armed Multi-Purpose Modular Patrol Vessels (MMPV 90), built under the management of the German shipbuilder NVL Group (formerly Lürssen Defence) and with the participation of numerous Bulgarian suppliers, the ship began its sea trials on November 11 in Varna Bay and the Black Sea. Following the successful completion of these trials, the vessel will be formally accepted into the Navy. My story for Naval News, here.

Aboard Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales

The Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales (R09), one of the largest and most advanced warships ever built in the UK, made a port visit to Crete, Greece, on November 1 as part of its global deployment leading the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in Operation Highmast. Operation Highmast is a UK-led multinational deployment of the Carrier Strike Group 2025 (CSG25), centered around the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09), designed to enhance the interoperability and preparedness of NATO and allied forces through multinational exercises and operations with air, sea and land forces, throughout 2025 in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions. The UK’s CSG serves as a significant maritime force capable of projecting power and influence on a global scale. Its goals include reinforcing the strategic capabilities of the UK and its allies and ensuring a coordinated response to global threats, while also strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with partner nations. I went on board to bring you this exclusive report. My story for Naval News, here.

North Korea’s New Destroyer Reemerges with Major Modifications

North Korea showcased its newest and most advanced warship, the 142-meter missile destroyer Choe Hyon, during the opening ceremony of the annual “Defense Development 2025” exhibition, held for the third consecutive year, on October 5, 2025 in Pyongyang to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The event was an opportunity for North Korea to present adjustments and refinements made to the destroyer over six months of post-launch work since her official commissioning in April 25, 2025. The display precedes the destroyer’s planned redeployment to the east coast early next year. My story for Naval News, here.