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.

Naval Group Offers Greece Local Build of 3 More FDI Frigates

A few days after reports in the Greek media suggested Greece’s interest in acquiring used Bergamini-class (FREMM IT) frigates from the Italian Navy—and amid ongoing discussions between the two sides, including last Sunday’s visit by Greek military and political leaders to the frigate Carlo Margottini, which was stationed in Piraeus in the presence of the Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Enrico Credendino—Naval News has learned that French shipbuilder Naval Group has presented the Greek authorities with a proposal aimed at strengthening the French-Greek cooperation in naval defense and technology. The proposal includes, among other elements, the local construction of three (3) additional Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates, in addition to the four (4) already set to be acquired by Greece, with the finalization of the fourth frigate expected in the coming days. My story for Naval News, here.

Japan’s ASEV Super Destroyer: Fresh Details Unveiled

At the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) 2025 in Abu Dhabi, a mock-up of Japan’s under-development AEGIS System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) was displayed. The stealth guided-missile destroyer that will specialize in ballistic missile defense (BMD) — larger than any other destroyer in the world, excluding the unique Zumwalt-class of US Navy — revealed intriguing details about the configuration of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) so-called “super destroyer.” With capabilities and size seemingly surpassing China’s Renhai-class (Type 055) 180-meter cruiser, the ASEV is set to become a symbol of pride for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). My story (together with Kosuke Takahashi) for Naval News, here.

Israel Shipyards Begin Construction of Reshef-class Corvettes

The Ministry of Defense, the Israeli Navy, and Israel Shipyards marked on February 18, 2025 the beginning of the production process for the Reshef-class ships (corvettes) in a traditional “steel cutting” ceremony, signaling the start of the manufacturing of five advanced warships. The event was attended by Acting Director General of the Ministry of Defense Itamar Graf, Commander of the Israeli Navy Vice Admiral David Saar Salama, Deputy Director General and Head of the Defense Procurement Directorate (DOPP) Ze’ev Landau, Head of the Finance Division at the Ministry of Defense CPA Dekel Cohen, owners of Israel Shipyards Industries Shlomi Fogel, Assi Shmeltzer, and Sami Katzav, CEO of Israel Shipyards Eitan Zucker, and other senior officials. As part of the deal, led by the outgoing Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, Israel Shipyards will provide the Navy with five advanced “Reshef”-class ships at a cost of approximately NIS 2.8B ($780M). The new ships are expected to replace the old “Saar” (Sa’ar 4.5 or else Nirit Class) vessels, which will be retired after nearly four decades of service. My story for Naval News, here.

Indonesia’s Merah Putih-class Frigate: What You Need to Know

A newly released infographic of the under-construction 140-meter frigate for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL)—known as the Red White Frigate (Fregat Merah Putih)—reveals key details of its combat system configuration. The Merah Putih-class frigate, a variant of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, which itself is derived from the Royal Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate, is being built by PT PAL Indonesia in Surabaya. Construction of the first ship-in-class began with the steel-cutting ceremony on December 9, 2022. The ship’s keel was laid down on 25 August 2025. Variants of the Arrowhead 140 are also being developed for other navies, including the United Kingdom’s Inspiration-class (Type 31) and Poland’s Miecznik program. The frigate’s equipment is categorized as “Fitted For, But Not With” (FFBNW) and “Main Contract Equipment”, with most weapons and sensors supplied by Turkish firms (Aselsan, Meteksan, Roketsan, and Havelsan) as well as Italian defense companies (Leonardo and ELT Group). My story (with additional reporting by Tayfun Ozberk) for Naval News, here.