Introduction of the Greek Navy’s “Kimon” Ship

Introduction of the Greek Navy’s “Kimon” Ship

The Greek Navy’s “Kimon” ship entered the Saronic Gulf of Greece on its way to the Salamis Naval Base. The frigate continues its transfer to Greece after the completion of the delivery process in France.

Ceremony and Integration

Kimon entered the inventory of the Greek Navy with a ceremony held in Lorient, France last month. At the ceremony, the Greek flag was raised at the manufacturer’s shipyard in Lorient. With the ceremony, the ship was officially included in the inventory of the Greek Navy and the ship commander and crew boarded the ship.

After this date, “Kimon” and his crew of 128 people set sail and went to the city of Brest, where the ship’s weapon systems were loaded. In Brest, the first full integration of sensors, combat system and weapon systems in real conditions was carried out. Then the frigate’s journey to Greece began. After arrival at the Salamis Naval Base, it is planned to start the internal process of integrating the ship into the fleet.

Future Frigate Deliveries

The new Belharra-class frigate HS Kimon (F-601) of the Greek Navy and the old Elli-class frigate. The frigates “Nearchos” and “Formion” are also expected to be delivered to the Greek Navy in 2026. It was reported that the construction of the fourth frigate, “Themistoclis”, has started.

Welcome Ceremony and Strategic Importance

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President Konstantinos Tasulas and Defense Minister Nikos Dendias attended the welcoming ceremony of F/G KIMON, the first Greek frigate FDI HN “Belharra” class, on board.

Dendias and the Chief of General Staff of the Greek Navy, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, stated in their previous statements that the “Kimon” is a ship that can provide strategic deterrence and increase the power of the Greek fleet in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.

Highlights of the Frigate

Designed for world-class navies to secure naval superiority, FDI-class frigates have been developed combat-ready to deal with current and emerging threats. FDI, a multi-purpose and durable offshore platform, offers high capabilities in air defense, anti-submarine defense, anti-ship and power display missions.

The frigates benefit from Thales’ latest innovations in radar, sonar and electronic warfare. The platforms, designed with the latest generation digital tools, are among the first ships with digital architecture. Thanks to this structure, it is aimed to adapt to threats with gradual upgrades throughout the life of the ships.

FDI-class frigates are also protected against cyber threats with a redundant computing architecture based on two data centers. A special computer gateway system for combating asymmetric threats makes it possible to coordinate close air and surface threats.

Weapons and Technical Equipment

FDI class frigates; MBDA production was equipped with the Exocet MM40 B3c Anti-Ship missile and Aster air defense missiles, RAM close air defense system, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes and bow gun. It also has the capacity to carry helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Technical Specifications

• Displacement: 4,500 tons
• Length: approx. 122 meters
• Width: 18 meters
• Maximum speed: 27 knots
• Aviation facilities: 10 ton class helicopter, Vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (VTOL UAV)
• Main weapon systems: 32 Aster missiles produced by MBDA, 8 MBDA production Exocet MM40 B3c missiles, RAM missiles, 76 mm gun, 4 torpedo tubes for MU90 torpedoes produced by Naval Group, 2 CANTO countermeasures produced by Naval Group

What are the capabilities of the new Kimon-class frigate?

• High capabilities in air defense and anti-submarine operations
• Digital architecture for gradual upgrades and adaptability
• Equipped with advanced weapon systems including Aster and Exocet missiles
• Protection against cyber threats with redundant computing architecture
• Capacity to carry helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles

For more information, visit the following links: Hellenic Navy’s first FDI HN frigate HS Kimon (F-601) reaches Greece – Naval News, Kimon-class frigate – Wikipedia, Greece Welcomes “Kimon,” the First “Belharra” Class Frigate – GreekReporter.com, Hellenic Navy Welcomes HS Kimon: Greece’s First Belharra-Class Frigate Marks Historic Naval Milestone, Greece takes delivery of Kimon frigate from France as €25bn military upgrade continues | Euronews.

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