Frigate “Kimon” arrived in Salamis: the beginning of a new era of the Greek Navy

Hellenic Navy enter a new era with the arrival of the first frigate of the class FDI HN Belharra — “Kimon”which entered the naval base Salamis.

The Prime Minister took part in the welcoming ceremony on the water Kyriakos MitsotakisPresident of the Republic Konstantinos TasoulasMinister of National Defense Nikos Dendiasas well as the entire senior military leadership of the General Staff of National Defense.

Frigate “Kimon” arrived in Salamis: the beginning of a new era of the Greek Navy pic.twitter.com/8sZgXw8myA

— Athens News (@russianathens) January 15, 2026

The ceremony began with the disembarkation of officials, after which a ceremonial sea passage of the frigate “Kimon” was organized between two columns of ships. The maneuver involved two frigates, two fast missile boats, two gunboats and two special operations vessels.

Upon completion of the passage, an entry in the frigate’s book of honorary guests took place, an exchange of memorable gifts with the ship’s commander, Captain 2nd Rank Ioannis Kizanis, and then an introductory tour of the key compartments, including the combat control center.

During its entry into the Gulf of Falira, the frigate performed a symbolic passage near the historical ships of the Greek fleet, emphasizing the continuity and continuity of the country’s naval power. pic.twitter.com/NDAVK2p3UX

— Athens News (@russianathens) January 15, 2026

During its entry into the Gulf of Falira, the frigate performed a symbolic passage near the historical ships of the Greek fleet, emphasizing the continuity and continuity of the country’s naval power.

Technical capabilities and combat role

The frigate “Kimon” is equipped with modern digital air defense systems, including radars Sea Fireand has enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The ship is armed with anti-aircraft missiles Aster-30 for A50 launchers, anti-ship missiles Exocet MM40 Block 3Ctorpedoes MU90anti-aircraft complex RAMartillery installation Oto Melara 76 mm caliber, as well as two remotely controlled modules Lionfish caliber 20 mm.

As the Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias and the Chief of the General Staff of the Navy, Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataris, have repeatedly emphasized, the Kimon is capable of providing strategic deterrence and significantly strengthening the position of the Greek fleet in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The path of frigates and the significance of the FDI program

On December 18, at the shipyards of the manufacturing company in the French city of Lorient, a naming ceremony and raising of the Greek flag on the frigate Kimon took place. After this, the ship with a crew of 128 people put to sea and headed to Brest, where the main armed complex was received and the first full integration of sensors, combat systems and weapons was carried out in real conditions.

Upon arrival in Salamis, the internal procedure for incorporating the frigate into the fleet begins, which includes certification, testing, training to national standards and the gradual acceptance of operational tasks.

The commissioning of the frigate Kimon, as well as the subsequent addition to the fleet of the ships Niarchos, Phormion and Themistoklis, is considered a historical milestone for national defense. This is the first new frigate to join the Greek fleet in recent years. 28 years old.

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