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

By D-Mitch

Copyright © NAVALANALYSES (navalanalyses.com). All rights reserved. Reproduction, republication, or translation of this content without permission is prohibited. Only brief excerpts (30–40 words) may be used with attribution and a link to navalanalyses.com.

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.