With positive votes from New Democracy, PASOK, SYRIZA, Greek Solution and Victory parties, the Greek Parliament approved the purchase of the 4th Belharra frigate that will bear the name “Themistocles”. The cost of acquiring it is calculated at 809 million euros, excluding its armament, while the cost of each of the first three frigates reached 719.6 million euros. Greek shipyards will participate in the construction of the frigate with a 25% share, strengthening the country’s industrial base and creating new jobs. It’s worth noting that the acquisition cost of the fourth frigate is 90 million euros higher compared to the cost that the original contract provided for each of the first three frigates. “Themistocles” is expected to be delivered to the Hellenic Navy by 2028.
The delivery of the first frigate
The first Belharra named “Kimon” will be delivered to the Hellenic Navy in December. The frigate’s reception crew is already in Lorient for the final testing phase. As for the frigate “Nearchos”, it is expected in spring 2026, while the frigate “Formion” will follow in autumn of the same year.
The armament of “Themistocles”
The displacement of “Themistocles” is 4,500 tons, with a length of approximately 122 meters and width of 18 meters. Its maximum speed will be 27 knots. It will also include a 10-ton class helicopter and an unmanned VTOL aerial vehicle (UAV). Its main armament will consist of 32 Aster missiles developed by MBDA, 8 Exocet MM40 B3c missiles developed by MBDA, RAM missiles, 76mm gun, 4 torpedo tubes with MU 90 torpedoes developed by Naval Group, and 2 CANTO countermeasure launchers developed by Naval Group.
Where the Belharra name comes from
The word “Belharra” in Basque means “grass” while “Belharra Perdun” refers to the massive wave that exceeds 15 meters and can reach up to 20 meters. These waves form in Atlantic waters under specific conditions and begin to grow outside the coast of Saint Jean de Luz port in the Basque country on French territory, specifically at a special point in the bay between the aforementioned port and Guethary, a small fishing village. The Belharra warship frigate took its name from this mythical wave. The @ symbol in place of the alpha in the frigate’s “Belh@rra” logo emphasizes the digital character of the warship.
