Italy and Greece took a further step towards the transfer of two FREMM frigates to the Hellenic Navy with the signing of an Implementing Arrangement in Rome on 8 September 2026. The agreement concerns Carlo Bergamini and Virginio Fasan, both currently serving with the Italian Navy, and establishes the framework for their transfer through Fincantieri. It also addresses the support the vessels will require as Greece prepares to bring them into service. The signing advanced a process launched under a Memorandum of Cooperation and a Declaration of Intent agreed by the two countries in September 2025.

The arrangement was signed by Greece’s General Directorate of Defence Investments and Armaments and the Italian General Directorate for Armaments. Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto and Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended the ceremony, alongside the chiefs of the two navies, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto and Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras. Fincantieri was represented by Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Pierroberto Folgiero and Eugenio Santagata, General Manager of its Naval Vessels Division. Their presence reflected the shipbuilder’s central role in both the proposed transfer and the longer-term cooperation envisaged under the agreement.

Fincantieri designed and built the two frigates for the Italian Navy and will support their transfer to Greece. The Implementing Arrangement covers initial and long-term support activities intended to sustain the vessels’ operational readiness throughout their service life. It also provides for the involvement of Greek industry in maintenance work and the integration of new systems on board. These provisions make industrial participation a significant part of the programme, alongside the delivery of the ships themselves, and could create opportunities for Greek companies to develop experience with the FREMM platform.

For the Hellenic Navy, the planned acquisition would add two established major surface combatants to its fleet. Their introduction will depend on the completion of the transfer process and the associated preparations for Greek service. The agreement therefore marks an important milestone, but the frigates have not yet been handed over. The scope and timing of any modifications, as well as the schedule for delivery, were not specified in Fincantieri’s announcement.

Fincantieri presented the arrangement as a foundation for broader cooperation between the Italian and Greek naval sectors. Folgiero said the progress of the transfer process created opportunities for industrial collaboration with Greek companies and could benefit the wider supply chain. He also described the introduction of FREMM frigates into the Hellenic Navy as a first step towards closer exchange of expertise and technology among countries operating the class. For Italy and Greece, the agreement links a near-term naval requirement with a longer-term framework for maintenance, systems integration and industrial cooperation.