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.