Barbaros-Class Frigates Enter "Beast Mode" with Major MLU

Written by D-Mitch

TCG Orucreis frigate after MLU during Exercise Dynamic

Mariner / Flotex 25. Photo by Anadolu Agency.

Today, the Turkish Turkish Naval Forces (Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri) operate a fleet of four Barbaros-class multipurpose frigates. Two of these ships were built by the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, while the other two were constructed at Turkey’s Gölcük Naval Shipyard with German assistance. Construction of the lead ship, TCG Barbaros (F-244), began in April 1992, and all four vessels were commissioned between 1995 and 2000. The Barbaros-class frigates are approximately 7 meters longer than the earlier Yavuz-class frigates (four ships) and have a full load displacement of around 3,400 tons. Compared to their predecessors, they feature a more advanced propulsion system—CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas)—which allows for a higher top speed. They also incorporate upgraded electronic and sensor systems. Until the commissioning of TCG Istanbul (F-515, the lead ship of the first indigenous Istif-class frigates in January 2024, the Barbaros-class frigates were considered the most modern vessels in the Turkish Navy. Today, the ships of the class are undergoing a comprehensive Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) to enhance their combat capabilities and extend their service life into the 2040s. This article offers a detailed and thorough examination of the Barbaros-class frigates and their extensive (and impressive) MLU.

INFOGRAPHICS #65: Future Surface Combatants Vol. VΙII (Wicher class, ...)

Written by D-Mitch

In this post, I include some of the infographics I made and published on social media, about new surface combatants that are under construction and about to enter service in the near future.

 

1. Wicher-class (Arrowhead 140PL/Miecznik Project) frigates of the Polish Navy (3 ships)

 

Wicher class frigate of the Polish Navy. Image from the YouTube video by Kamil Sa here.

 

 

First Greek FDI HN Frigate Starts Sea Trials

The first FDI frigate for the Hellenic Navy, HS Kimon, started her first sea trials on May 21st in Lorient. Developed to be operated by the Hellenic Navy, the FDI HS Kimon has begun her sea trials from the Naval Group site of Lorient, Brittany. The trials will be carefully attended by the Hellenic Navy representatives. Thanks to the experience gained during the Amiral Ronarc’h sea trials, the trials of HS Kimon will be performed much faster. The first period at sea will be mainly dedicated to test the platform systems including propulsion and navigation systems. The second period at sea, in a few weeks, will be dedicated to combat systems and endurance at sea. 2025 marks a key milestone for the FDI programme, with sea trials and the upcoming delivery of the first frigate for the Hellenic Navy, along with the imminent launching of the third vessel, HS Formion. By 2026, the Hellenic Navy will operate three first-rank, multi-mission FDI HN frigates. My story for Naval News, here.

S-100 CAMCOPTER UAS Strengthens Greek FDI Frigate Capabilities

In an exclusive interview with Naval News at Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA) 2025, Lubos Sramek, Sales Director for Europe at Schiebel, shared key insights into the S-100 CAMCOPTER Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air System (UAS), which is set to equip Hellenic Navy’s future Kimon -class (FDI HN) multi-mission frigates. The S-100, CAMCOPTER developed by Austrian manufacturer Schiebel, has been selected for integration with Naval Group’s SETIS combat management system (CMS) aboard Greek FDI HN frigates, significantly enhancing the ships’ operational capabilities across multiple domains. While the contract has not yet been signed, it is expected to be finalized in the coming months. My story for Naval News, here.

Naval Group & HAI Sign MoU for FDI Frigate C-UAS capabilities

At DEFEA 2025, Naval News learned that Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Naval Group to integrate the combat-proven CENTAUR counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) aboard the Hellenic Navy’s Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates, with plans to extend the integration to other surface vessels, including the French Navy’s FDI frigates. This agreement aims to enhance the frigates’ capabilities with a fully integrated solution for countering the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems—from detection to interception. Naval News visited HAI’s booth and obtained details on the final industrialized version of the CENTAUR system, whose prototype has been successfully deployed in the Red Sea and is currently in service aboard Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigates, demonstrating strong performance against UAV threats. HAI also unveiled a new lightweight and compact C-UAS system, named IPERION, which was presented to the public for the first time. My story for Naval News, here.

Delian Alliance Industries Announces Interceptigon Series

Greek defense firm Delian Alliance Industries announces the Interceptigon series—a new line of attritable, concealed, and autonomous one-way effectors, purpose-built for coastal defense operations in the new era of warfare. The Interceptigons are designed to give Europe and allied sovereign nations, a decisive advantage in anti-access/area denial (A2/AD), especially in the coastal defense domain. The effectors are attritable, low cost and built for scale. They dramatically shift the cost-exchange ratio in the defender’s favor. My story for Naval News, here.

Salamis Shipyards Reemerges as Naval Hub in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean

On April 14, 2025, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu squeezed in a visit to the nearby island of Salamis during his hectic one‑day trip to Athens, Greece—despite back‑to‑back meetings with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Defense Minister Nikos Dendias. There, on the historic island long synonymous with naval warfare, the French Minister. There, on the historic island long synonymous with naval warfare, the French Minister—accompanied by Deputy Minister of National Defense Thanasis Davakis; Her Excellency the Ambassador of the French Republic to Greece Laurence Auer; the French Defense and Armaments Attachés at the Embassy; Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff; Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff; and other dignitaries—visited the island’s namesake, the Salamis Shipyards. These shipyards are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of the deepening strategic partnership between France and Greece, while also playing a pivotal role in revitalizing Greece’s domestic defense industry. My story for Naval News, here.

Greece Orders Exocet MM40 Block 3C Anti-Ship Missiles

On Monday, April 14, 2025, Greece signed an intergovernmental agreement with France for the procurement of 16 EXOCET MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles with land attack capability from MBDA. The Interstate Convention was officially signed in Athens by Major General Ioannis Bouras, General Director of the General Directorate for Defense Investments and Armaments (GDDIA), and Mrs Annie Kristina Ramon, representative of MBDA (missile systems), in the presence of the Greek and French Ministers of Defense, Nikos Dendias and Sébastien Lecornu, respectively. The signing took place during an official visit by the French delegation, underscoring the deepening strategic relationship between the two nations. My story for Naval News, here.

New Frigates, Submarines, Patrol Vessels and Several Upgrade Programs for Greece

On April 10, Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias addressed the Hellenic Parliament’s Special Standing Committee on Armament Programmes and Contracts regarding the Long-term Planning of Defence Armaments of the Armed Forces 2025–2036. The following day, April 11, he expanded on the program in an interview with journalist Apostolos Mangiriadis at the Delphi Economic Forum X. In both appearances, he presented the long-awaited defense procurement plan for the Hellenic Armed Forces. This strategic initiative aims to strengthen national defense and upgrade military capabilities over the next 12 years in response to rapidly shifting geopolitical dynamics. Central to the plan is a comprehensive naval armament program. The Long-term Planning of Defence Armaments 2025–2036 is aligned with the new Force Structure and forms a key component of the broader “Agenda 2030” reform framework. It encompasses a wide range of projects, with particular emphasis on the modernization and expansion of the Hellenic Navy. My story for Naval News, here.