Naval

Greek Navy’s new FDI frigate begins trials

May 26, 2025

Naval has begun initial trials of the new frigate “HS Kimon”, currently under construction for the Hellenic Navy.
The sea trials are taking place off the French coast. “HS Kimon” is the second vessel of the FDI class (Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention), following “Amiral Ronarc’h”.

Thanks to the experience gained by the shipyard with its predecessor, it should be possible to complete the tests much more quickly. The first phase will primarily serve to test the propulsion and navigation systems of the “Kimon”. In the second phase, which is due to take place in a few weeks, the focus will be on combat systems and seaworthiness.

Naval’s FDI program provides for the launch of the third ship “HS Formion” before the end of this year. The Greek Navy, which was present with representatives at the sea trials of the “HS Kimon”, is to send three intervention frigates on missions from 2026.

According to Naval, the FDI frigate has been developed for first-class navies to secure their sovereignty. It is said to be a ship that “can cope with current and future threats”. The Greek Navy will be able to secure its maritime superiority in the eastern Mediterranean, it says.

Naval equips FDI frigates with modern systems

The “HS Kimon” is equipped for all areas of naval combat: Air defense, anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship and special forces projection, with “unique capabilities” against asymmetric threats. It also benefits from the latest innovations from defense contractor Thales in the areas of radar, sonar and electronic warfare.

The FDI-class frigates are the first ships of their kind to have a digital on-board architecture. This will enable them to continuously adapt to technological and operational developments, making them able to cope with constantly evolving threats. Their architecture and digital infrastructures guarantee growth potential and ensure adaptation to future threats throughout their lifetime through incremental upgrades rather than costly retrofits. The FDI is also natively protected against cyber threats. Its redundant IT architecture is based on two data centers that host a large part of the ship’s software in virtualized form.

The FDI for the Hellenic Navy is heavily armed (MBDA Exocet MM40 B3c surface and Aster anti-aircraft missiles, RAM system, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, artillery) and also has a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capacity. It also benefits from the expertise of Thales, MBDA and other partners and subcontractors.