North Korea Unveils Advanced Frigate Design Likely Equipped with Guided Missiles

Photos released by North Korean state media, KCTV, reveal a new frigate that may be equipped with a Vertical Launching System (VLS) for cruise missiles and/or guided surface-to-air missiles (SAM). The vessel appears to have double the displacement of previous classes, showcasing significant enhancements in size and capability. In the summer of 2023, North Korea unveiled a cruise missile-armed corvette, marking a significant development in its naval capabilities. Now, just days before the start of 2025, the country has revealed a new frigate design with more than double the displacement of the +1,500-ton Amnok-class corvette and boasting advanced features. Footage aired by state media Korean Central Television (KCTV) on Sunday (watch the video starting at 03:11.40) included four photographs showing the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un inspecting an unidentified large warship under construction at the Nampo Shipyard for the Korean People’s Army Navy. My story for Naval News, here.

‘No, a Thousand Times No’: Greek Defense Minister on LCS Deal

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias was particularly critical of the letter from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which referenced a number of weapon systems, vehicles, and warships the U.S. intends to provide to Greece. Dendias expressed his concerns on December 14, 2024 during his speech in the Hellenic Parliament on the draft bill for the “Ratification of the State Budget for the Fiscal Year 2025”. Responding to questions from Parliamentary Representatives of the Parties, the Minister of National Defense made notable remarks regarding the United States and the Blinken letter. He also emphasized the unsuitability of the proposed LCS vessels (Freedom Class) for the Hellenic Navy. My story for Naval News, here.

Israel Launches Reshef-class Corvette Program

Israel's Ministry of Defense today inked the contract to start the Reshef-class corvette program. Five vessels are being procured for the Israeli Navy. They will be built locally by Israel Shipyards but some hull modules will be fabricated overseas by a U.S. shipbuilder. After more than 20 years, the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the IDF are resuming the production of combat ships in Israel. Today, December 12, 2024, the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eyal Zamir, signed the “Reshef” deal in a small ceremony at HaKirya, Tel Aviv, attended by the Navy Commander, Maj. Gen. David Salama, Deputy Director General and Head of the Defense Procurement Directorate (DOPP), Zeev Landau, Head of the Planning and Force-Build-up Directorate of the IDF, Maj. Gen. Eyal Harel, Chairman of Israel Shipyards, Sami Katsav, CEO of Israel Shipyards, Eitan Zucker, Head of the Finance Division, CPA Dekel Cohen, and other senior officials. M ystory for Naval News, here.

French Navy’s New OPV (Patrouilleur Hauturier) Showcased at Euronaval 2024

At the Euronaval 2024 exhibition in Paris, the DGA showcased the new generation of offshore patrol vessels (Patrouilleur Hauturier, PH), previously known as PO (ocean patrol vessels), for the French Navy.  The "Patrouilleurs Hauturiers" program will deliver 7+3 ships by 2035 to replace older units and significantly upgrade the Marine Nationale's capabilities. Specifically, the new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) are designed to carry out missions currently performed by the six ageing D’Estienne d’Orves/A69 type (formerly light frigates and then reclassed as patrol vessels) high-seas patrol vessels (PHM) based in Brest and Toulon as well as the three Flamant-class (OPV 54) public service patrol boats (PSP) in Cherbourg: support for deterrence, maritime security, evacuation, protection, escort and intervention within the framework of State action at sea and deployment in France’s areas of interest. To carry out this wide range of missions, the new ships will have larger size and superior operational capabilities compared to the vessels they replace, owing to their advanced equipment and design features. My story for Naval News, here.

Naval Group Makes Progress with its Revolutionary MPLS CIWS

At Euronaval 2024, Naval Group shared the latest with its "Multi-purpose and Modular Launching System" (MPLS), a RAM-like close-in weapon system (CIWS) which takes the concept a step further: By being Multi-purpose and Modular, the launcher brings revolutionary capabilities and is particularly relevant in today's context. First introduced at the Naval Innovation Days (NID) a year ago, Naval Group’s MPLS marks a significant technological advancement. The launcher is being developed in partnership with experts from the French Navy and the French defense procurement agency (DGA), in order to offer 100% user-centered innovation and to meet the new operational challenges of navies and their budgetary constraints. It involves several ammunition partners (such as KNDS and Thales) and suggests other future collaborations for next generation ammunition. My story for Naval News, here.

Greece’s Second FDI Frigate Receives PSIM Integrated Mast

The hull of the second Greek FDI HN frigate, Nearchos (F602), was floated out of the dry dock on September 19, 2024. The innovative integrated mast PSIM (Panoramic Sensor & Intelligence Module) was fitted on the frigate today, October 23, 2024. Approximately a month after the technical launch of the second Greek FDI HN frigate Nearchos (F602) from its dry dock at the Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France, the final structural component—the PSIM integrated mast—was installed today on the ship. This mast, along with the inverted bow, is a key characteristic of the FDI design. The Naval Group’s mast is a separate module, manufactured independently of the hull and well in advance of sea trials. It can be powered up, tested, or even used for training purposes while still onshore. Weighing 150 tonnes and standing 42 meters tall, the integrated steel mast, known as the Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM), incorporates the ship’s Command Information Center (CIC) with the latest version of the SETIS Combat Management System (CMS), a planning room for mission command staff during flagship operations, and one of the two digital data processing centers (the other is located aft in the hull for survivability). The mast also houses the majority of the ship’s above-water sensors, providing continuous 360° surveillance. My story for Naval News, here.

On Board Kimon: Greece’s First FDI Frigate

On Friday, October 4, 2024, just three days before the first sea trials of the first FDI for the French Navy, Amiral Ronar’ch (D660), and the last day of the Euronaval 2024 Press Tour organized by GICAN, Naval News had the opportunity to board the first of three Greek FDI-type frigates under-construction, Kimon (F-601), which is in the final stages of completion at Naval Group’s shipard in Lorient, France. The acquisition of the new FDI HN frigates will mark a milestone as after about three decades, since the four Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigates entered service, Greece will finally acquire modern main surface units. My story for Naval News, here. 

Greece Initiates Talks for 4th FDI HN Frigate and Cruise Missiles

During his visit to Naval Group’s Lorient shipyard on September 19, 2024, for the launching ceremony of the Hellenic Navy (HN)’s second FDI HN frigate ‘Nearchos‘ (F602), Greek Minister of Defence Nikos Dendias announced that Greece will enter negotiations to purchase a fourth FDI HN frigate and to equip a number of them with naval cruise missiles (NCM). The intention to purchase a fourth frigate by Greece reflects not only the satisfaction of the Navy’s leadership with the progress in the construction and capabilities of the new frigates but also the government’s confidence in the FDI program. My story for Naval News, here.

Greek Shipyard Delivers Blocks for France’s Second FDI

On July 13, 2024, the Salamis Shipyards delivered five (5) pre-equipped blocks of the second (and fifth in the production series) French Navy defence and intervention frigate (FDI) (Admiral Louzeau). These blocks were constructed at the Salamis Shipyards in Salamis, Greece, and are already en route from Greece to the Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient, France, where they will undergo the next steps in the frigate’s construction. For the first time in history, a Greek shipyard is participating in the construction of a high-tech warship for the naval fleet of another country, specifically France, through the FDI program. My story for Naval News, here.