In a move signaling both strategic confidence and long-term
naval ambition, the Greek government has greenlit the
purchase of a fourth FDI frigate for the Hellenic Navy — this
one to be named HS Themistocles.
The announcement came late Wednesday evening, on the
17th September, following a high-level national security
council meeting (KYSEA), chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos
Mitsotakis, with Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirming
what many in Greece’s defense community had long
expected: the fourth ship is a go. But this isn’t just another
frigate. Themistocles, named after the famed Athenian naval
strategist who changed the course of history at Salamis, will
carry with it some serious firepower — and a message.
While the first three FDI frigates — Kimon, Nearhos, and
Formion — already represent a generational leap for the
Hellenic Navy, Themistocles will arrive with upgrades baked
in. It will be the first to be built to the “Standard 2++”
configuration, a term that’s becoming shorthand for the FDI’s
most advanced variant. Think longer-range weapons,
advanced electronics, better integration with drones, and —
most notably — next-generation cruise missiles under the
European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) program.
These missiles are still in development, but once operational,
they’ll vastly expand Greece’s naval strike envelope. In
practical terms, that means Themistocles will be the most
capable surface combatant the Hellenic Navy has ever
operated.
The combined cost of acquiring Themistocles and upgrading
the other three ships will come to €982 million, with payments
spread out until 2030. The frigate itself will cost around €810
million, and unlike her predecessors, Themistocles’ weapons
suite — ASTER and EXOCET missiles — is not yet included
in the deal, though negotiations with MBDA are expected to
follow.
France, meanwhile, has committed to returning 25% of the
investment through industrial participation, meaning around
€200 million in work will flow back to Greek defense
companies.
Themistocles will be delivered in December 2028, entering
service in the Standard 2+ configuration and then upgraded
to full 2++ by March 2030. The rest of the class will follow a
similar path:
Ship Standard 1 Standard 2++ (Final)
Kimon Oct 2025 Sep 2029
Nearhos Oct 2026 Apr 2029
Formion Dec 2026 Jun 2029
Themistocles Dec 2028 Mar 2030
Each upgrade costs about €5 million per ship, with work being
performed in Greece after initial delivery from Naval Group’s
shipyard in Lorient, France.
The addition of a fourth frigate was always part of the original
plan. When the Greek government signed contracts with
Naval Group, MBDA, and Thales in March 2022, the
agreement included an option for one more ship. Now, after
months of quiet technical discussions and price negotiations,
Greece has exercised that option.
In fact, this fourth frigate might not be the last. Earlier this
year, Naval Group offered Greece a proposal to locally build
three more Kimon-class frigates, leveraging Greek shipyards
and defense firms. While no formal deal has been
announced, the groundwork is being laid for a longer-term
partnership.
The Kimon-class frigates are more than new ships. They
represent a shift in how Greece approaches naval power.
With top-tier sensors, advanced missiles, and NATO
interoperability, they provide the Hellenic Navy with a modern
backbone capable of operating in high-threat environments
— from the Aegean to the Eastern Mediterranean. And with
the region’s security dynamics still in flux, from tensions with
Turkey to instability in the Middle East, the timing is no
accident..“Safeguarding our homeland is a non-negotiable
priority,” Prime Minister Mitsotakis said. “This acquisition
strengthens our strategic depth without compromising fiscal
responsibility.”
As Parliament prepares to formally ratify the deal, Greece
appears committed not just to acquiring hardware, but to
building a modern naval force with long-term resilience.
© Naval Group