The Hellenic Navy has released video footage of the first Greek Belh@rra frigate “Kimon”, which departed days ago from Naval Group’s facilities in the French city of Lorient and is currently sailing toward Salamis Naval Base. The footage shows the frigate sailing in the Mediterranean, where it met with the Greek fleet frigate “Aegean”, which is integrated into the European Union’s “Irini” force. The first communication exercise took place between the two Greek units, which will soon be sailing together in naval exercises and drills.
The frigate “Kimon” will pass by Aegina tomorrow morning, where the state and political leadership will arrive by helicopter to see it up close. The Chief of the Hellenic Navy, Rear Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, sent the first naval signal to the frigate, stating that the ship, sailing toward Salamis, will receive a welcome in the Saronic Gulf from a flotilla of six Hellenic Navy ships, consisting of frigates, gunboats, and missile boats. Joining them to welcome the frigate will be the legendary battleship “Averof” and the trireme “Olympias”, which, depending on weather and other conditions, are planned to escort the frigate all the way to its entrance into the naval base.
Navy Chief: New era of naval power for the Hellenic Navy
The choice of “Averof” and “Olympias” to escort the frigate “Kimon” during its ceremonial entrance to the naval base is anything but coincidental. The three ships share a common feature: from the “wooden walls” to the “devil ship” and the armored Belharra, the inverted bow, a common characteristic of all three (types of) ships, has been historically connected to Greek naval power and represents an aesthetic link between ancient seamanship, the aura of the legendary “Averof” and modern technology. The great sea power.
“With national pride we welcome you today to Greek waters. Your arrival marks a new era of naval power for the Hellenic Navy. From your bow we gaze upon the nation’s ambition for security, progress and prosperity. I express my absolute satisfaction to the crew for the exceptional performance and high professionalism displayed, both in the excellent delivery process and during the demanding voyage home. You sail as worthy successors of our glorious naval legacy. The imposing inverted bow of frigate ‘Kimon’ will soon meet the prow of the Athenian Trireme and the armored cruiser ‘Averof’, composing the modern ‘wooden walls’ of our homeland. I call upon you to continue your voyage with unstoppable momentum, to gaze with the eyes of a victor and owner upon Greek waters, honoring the ‘Great is the Sea Power’, with Saint Nicholas always at your bow. Welcome,” stated the Chief of the Hellenic Navy in his message.
“Kimon”: The journey of the first Belharra to Salamis
The frigate “Kimon’s” journey began from Lorient and then called at Brest to receive its initial weapons load. There, the first complete integration of sensors, combat system, and weapon systems was completed under real conditions.
Now the ultra-modern warship will be integrated into the Armed Forces to begin the internal process of fleet integration with certifications, testing on Greek networks, training in national procedures, and gradual assumption of roles.
The reception ceremony for frigate “Kimon”
A highly symbolic reception ceremony has been planned for welcoming the flagship of the Hellenic Navy. As the frigate “Kimon” arrives off Salamis Naval Base, two ships with heavy history will be waiting to escort her on her entrance voyage: the battleship “Averof” and the trireme “Olympias”.
The frigate’s reception scene will also be completed by an impressive flotilla of six Hellenic Navy ships (frigates, gunboats, and missile boats).
On the deck of the Belharra: Mitsotakis and Dendias
According to information, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Defense Minister Nikos Dendias will board the frigate “Kimon’s” deck. They will be transported by Hellenic Navy helicopter and will board the ship, most likely off Aegina. The military leadership of the Armed Forces is also expected to board, accompanying “Kimon” on the final voyage to the naval base.
Training the frigate’s crew
Meanwhile, crew training has essentially begun, and the demanding program is expected to peak in the coming weeks. Fleet Headquarters is already planning the first organized training activities with “KIMON’s” participation.
Once the necessary experience in basic maneuvers inside and outside port is acquired, the first Greek FDI will begin collaborations with surface units, submarines, and Air Force fighters. It’s estimated that by next summer the basic training subjects will be completed, allowing the ship to participate in larger-scale exercises and international cooperations. Meanwhile, by year’s end the Hellenic Navy expects to receive the other two frigates of the class, “Formion” and “Nearchos”, which are in advanced construction stages. The fourth of the class, “Themistocles”, is scheduled for delivery in 2028, in the HN++ configuration, with the addition of strategic strike missiles, completing one of the most ambitious modernizations of the Greek Fleet.
The role of Belharra frigates in defense armor
These frigates are part of a broader defense planning for the country, as they are Europe’s most heavily armed warships.
Besides the construction program for four Belharra frigates, the following are in progress or imminent:
– MEKO frigate modernization programs
– ROUSSEN missile boat modernization programs
– Navy submarine modernization programs, which will soon begin implementation in Greece
– Acquisition of four ISLAND patrol vessels, which will soon join our fleet
– The country’s future participation in designing and subsequently building the new CONSTELLATION frigate
– Our participation in the Eurocorvette program
– Creation of an impregnable missile wall on the Aegean surface (modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome)
– Promoting a series of smaller but operationally valuable programs
– Building new submarines at the end of the decade.
The first digital frigate
The characteristics of FDI HN frigates make them rulers of the sea. This is an open-ocean warship, displacing 4,500 tons, multi-mission and particularly resilient, featuring:
– High-level capabilities in all naval warfare domains: anti-ship, anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and special forces projection, with unique capabilities against asymmetric threats.
– Benefits from Thales’ most recent technological innovations in radar, sonar and electronic warfare.
– Features extremely powerful armament (anti-surface MBDA Exocet MM40 B3C missiles and Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, RAM missiles, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, guns).
– The FDI HN frigate also has the capability and capacity to simultaneously embark a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
It incorporates all the expertise of Naval Group’s partners and subcontractors.
Technical specifications and main armaments of Belharra
Technical specifications:
– Displacement: 4,500 tons
– Length: approximately 122 meters
– Width: 18 meters
– Maximum speed: 27 knots
– Facilities for aerial assets: 10-ton class helicopter, VTOL unmanned aircraft (UAV)
Main armaments:
– 32 Aster missiles developed by MBDA
– 8 Exocet MM40 B3C missiles developed by MBDA
– RAM missiles
– MU 90 torpedoes developed by Naval Group
– 76mm gun
– 4 torpedo tubes
– CANTO countermeasures developed by Naval Group
Superweapon characteristics
Additionally, the new frigates’ advanced strategic weapons will be a power factor, as they incorporate technologies that provide new capabilities to their arsenal.
It’s characteristic that these frigates will have the capability to carry the SCALP NAVAL missile, the most advanced cruise missile, which can strike strategically important targets at great distances (over 1,000 km) with high precision.
[#THROWBACK] We look back at the delivery ceremony of FDI Kimon to the @NavyGR .
Strengthening Greece’s maritime sovereignty, she joins her French sistership FDI Amiral Ronarc’h. pic.twitter.com/4Wb3hZyGd9
— Naval Group (@navalgroup) December 23, 2025
