Greece and Italy signed an agreement in Rome that launches transfer to the Greek Navy of two Italian frigates FREMM Bergamini class worth about €460 million.
The signing took place on September 8 in the presence of the Greek Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias and the Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto.
Implementation Agreement – Implementing Arrangement – signed by the Director General of the Greek General Directorate of Defense Investments and Armaments (ΓΔΑΕΕ), Major General Ioannis Bouras, and the Director of Armaments of Italy, Vice Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani.
Official confirmation published Greek Ministry of National Defense and company Fincantieri.
What ships will Greece receive?
We are talking about two frigates that are currently part of the Italian Navy:
- Carlo Bergamini (F-590) – transfer to the Greek Navy is planned for the first half of the year 2028;
- Virginio Fasan (F-591) — the transfer is scheduled for the first half of the year 2029.
Both ships belong to the FREMM family, but have different specializations. Carlo Bergamini built in a General Purpose multi-purpose configuration, and Virginio Fasan focused primarily on anti-submarine warfare – Anti-Submarine Warfare.
The frigates have a length of about 144 meters and a displacement of about 6,700 tons. They are equipped with modern radar systems, air defense and anti-submarine search equipment.
Price: €460 million, but modernization will increase the amount
According to Greek media, the cost of the two ships in their current condition is around €460 million.
At the same time, the total cost of the program will be higher, since separate work will be required on modernization, adaptation to the requirements of the Greek Navy, weapons, spare parts and subsequent technical support.
Greek sources give an estimated total ceiling for the program, including interventions and support, of approximately €700 millionhowever, this figure has not yet appeared as the final official cost of the contract.
Greek shipyards will receive part of the work
A separate clause of the agreement concerns the participation of the Greek defense industry.
According to Fincantieri, Greek companies and shipyards should be involved in the maintenance of the ships, their modernization and the installation of new systems.
The Italian company will be responsible both for the transfer process itself and for supporting the two frigates throughout their life cycle.
Possible purchase of two more FREMMs
The current agreement concerns the first two ships, but Athens does not hide the fact that it is considering the possibility of acquiring two more FREMM.
Thus, the original “2+2” scheme, which was discussed back in 2025, remains relevant.
Dendias himself said after the signing that Greece continues to discuss the acquisition of two additional ships of this type.
How FREMM fit into the new Greek fleet
The purchase of Italian ships is part of a much larger renewal program for the Greek Navy.
By the end of the decade, the basis of the surface fleet should be four French FDIs, two Italian FREMMs with the possibility of increasing their number to four, and modernized MEKO frigates.
“Athens News” already wrote about the upcoming deal in the material “Greece is buying two Italian FREMMs: the agreement will be signed on September 8 in Rome”.
Now this stage is completed: the agreement has been signed, the legal, financial and technical parameters of the transfer have been fixed, and the delivery schedule has been determined.
What are Bergamini class FREMMs?
The Italian Bergamini class FREMMs are large multi-purpose ocean frigates developed as part of the joint Italian-French FREMM program.
According to official data Fincantierithe length of the ship is about 144 metersdisplacement – approximately 6.500 tonsand the maximum speed exceeds 27 knots.
Autonomy reaches approximately 45 daysand the cruising range is about 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots.
The ships are equipped with a combined propulsion system CODLAGwhich combines a gas turbine, electric motors and diesel generators. This scheme allows the use of quiet electric propulsion, which is especially important during anti-submarine operations.
Why does Greece receive two different FREMMs?
Although both ships are of the same class, their configuration is different.
Carlo Bergamini built in the multi-purpose version of General Purpose. It is designed for a wide range of tasks – escorting formations, combating surface and air targets, fire support and patrolling.
Virginio Fasanon the contrary, refers to the Anti-Submarine Warfare – ASW version. Its main specialization is searching and destroying submarines.
The anti-submarine version is equipped with additional sonar systems, including a towed sonar, which makes it possible to detect underwater targets at a much greater distance.
Armament
The specific configuration after modernization for the Greek Navy may still change, however, the Italian Bergamini class FREMM in its current version uses a modern set of weapons and sensors.
In particular, the platform is designed to use:
- family of anti-aircraft missiles Aster;
- anti-ship missiles;
- torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare;
- artillery installations 76/62 mm;
- on a multi-purpose version – large-caliber naval artillery 127/64 mm;
- NH90 or AW101 helicopters.
Both ships have double hangarallowing the deployment of two helicopters or a combination of helicopter and unmanned aerial systems.
How do FREMMs differ from Greek FDIs?
This is where shopping gets especially interesting.
The French FDI, which Greece is already receiving, is primarily focused on modern air defense and work as part of a networked battle management system.
FREMM are significantly larger, have greater autonomy and are better suited for long-term operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, formation escort and anti-submarine warfare.
That is, FREMM does not replace FDI, but complement them: Some ships enhance air defense and battle control, others give the fleet a heavier multi-purpose and anti-submarine platform.
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