The Hellenic Navy marked a significant milestone today as Greece received its first Belharra class frigate, the state of the art Kimon, in a ceremony rich in symbolism at the Salamis Naval Base.
An impressive escort featuring the historic armored cruiser Averof and the trireme Olympias accompanied the new vessel, underscoring the continuity between Greece’s naval heritage and its modern maritime ambitions.
A scheduled aerial arrival will bring Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President Konstantinos Tasoulas and Defense Minister Nikos Dendias aboard the frigate at 11:00 as it approaches the base.
The Kimon operates with a crew of 128 and delivers advanced capabilities in every dimension of naval warfare, including anti air defense, anti submarine operations, anti ship missions and responses to asymmetric threats.
An extensive suite of Thales radar, sonar and electronic warfare technologies further enhances the ship’s operational profile.
Footage released by the Navy documented the entire voyage from France to Greece, capturing the moment when the frigate Aigaion became the first vessel to escort the Kimon as it entered national waters.
The induction of the Kimon and three additional FDI HN Belharra class frigates marks Greece’s first acquisition of new frigates in 28 years, substantially strengthening the fleet’s readiness.
According to the acquisition schedule, the Nearhos and Formion frigates are expected by the end of 2026, while the Themistocles is planned for delivery in 2028 with 25 percent domestic industrial contribution.
The Belharra Standard 2 plus plus configuration introduces 11 upgrades drawn from recent global conflict experience and insights gained from Operation Aspides in the Red Sea.
These improvements elevate the frigates into some of the world’s most modern surface combatants, offering long range missile capabilities that exceed 1000 km and provide Greece with expanded strategic reach.
The addition of the Kimon aligns with broader reforms across the Armed Forces, which include the new Force Structure, next generation fighter aircraft acquisitions, the Achilles Shield air defense initiative and major advancements in unmanned and innovation driven systems.
All these initiatives form part of the Agenda 2030 transformation plan, designed to equip Greece with the strongest military capabilities in its history by the end of the decade.
