On 15 January 2026, Greece marked a defining moment in the modernization of its Armed Forces with the official reception and integration of the first FDI HN Belh@rra-class frigate, F-601 KIMON, into the Hellenic Navy. The ceremony took place at sea in the Saronic Gulf, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, senior political figures, military leadership, and the French Ambassador to Greece.

Speaking during the ceremony, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis captured the emotional weight of the occasion. He noted that both those who stood on the bridge and deck of KIMON, as well as the many citizens who followed the event on television, felt pride, joy, and a renewed sense of confidence in the country’s future. While the operational capabilities of the frigate have already been widely discussed, the Prime Minister emphasized its deeper significance as a vital link in Greece’s continuous effort to modernize its Armed Forces—not only in terms of equipment, but also through the strengthening of human capital.

“The first duty of every government and every political leadership,” Mitsotakis stated, “is to hand over a country that is safer than the one it inherited.” He underlined that the arrival of KIMON represents a major step toward that goal, ensuring that Greece’s deterrent capability cannot be questioned by anyone. At the same time, it reinforces the country’s role as a pillar of stability and credibility in the Eastern Mediterranean. Looking ahead, the Prime Minister announced that three additional Belh@rra-class frigates will join the Hellenic Navy within the next 18 months, completing a transformational upgrade of the fleet.

From aboard the new frigate, Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias described the day as “a great day for the Hellenic Navy, for the Armed Forces, and for our country.” He highlighted that KIMON, in its “Standard 2++” configuration, is “the most powerful frigate on the planet,” representing a decisive leap in Greece’s maritime and overall defence capabilities. Far from being just another platform, the ship is a strategic asset designed to strengthen deterrence, safeguard national sovereignty, and protect Greek society and its citizens.

Dendias placed the frigate’s arrival within the broader framework of “Agenda 2030,” Greece’s ambitious defence reform program. This initiative aims to transform the Armed Forces from a collection of individual weapon systems into a fully integrated, knowledge-driven force.