Naval Group launches third FDI frigate for Hellenic Navy

By Defence Industry Europe

On June 4, the Hellenic Ship (HS) FORMION, the third FDI frigate for the Hellenic Navy, was launched at Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient, France. The ceremony was attended by high-level representatives including Nikolaos Dendias, Minister of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic, and General (Armament) Alexandre Lahousse, Deputy General Director of the French National Armaments Directorate (DGA).

 

Also present were General Dimitrios Choupis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence, Vice Admiral Dimitrios E. Kataras, Chief of the Hellenic Navy, Amiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of Staff of the French Navy, and Major General Ioannis Bouras, General Director of GDDIA. The industrial launching of HS FORMION had already taken place earlier on 28 May.

All three FDI frigates for the Hellenic Navy—HS KIMON, HS NEARCHOS, and HS FORMION—are now afloat on the Scorff river, marking a significant phase in the programme. HS KIMON is currently undergoing sea trials, while HS NEARCHOS is on the right bank for outfitting before beginning harbour trials after the summer.

 

 

Naval Group confirmed that the three frigates will be delivered in 2025 and 2026. The event underscores the strong industrial cooperation between France and Greece, involving block construction by Salamis Shipyard in Greece and the participation of around 70 Greek companies in Naval Group’s supply chain.

“Thanks to the remarkable cooperation between our teams and our partners, we are proud to be delivering on time and on schedule the three defence and intervention frigates ordered by Greece,” said Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group. “The launch of the third frigate for the Hellenic Navy is an important industrial milestone that demonstrates the strength of the strategic partnership between Greece and France.”

HS FORMION, like her sister ships, integrates several pieces of equipment manufactured in Greece. Designed as a 4,500-ton multimission warship, she brings advanced capabilities in anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare, and special forces operations, while being equipped to counter asymmetric threats.

The frigate features the latest Thales technologies in radar (SeaFire), sonar, electronic warfare, and communications. She is heavily armed with MBDA’s Exocet MM40 B3c anti-surface missiles, Aster anti-air missiles, RAM missiles, and MU90 torpedoes.

 

 

HS FORMION also supports the deployment of both a helicopter and a VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle. Her technical specifications include a length of approximately 122 metres, a width of 18 metres, and a maximum speed of 27 knots.

Naval Group highlighted the joint achievement, stating, “We are committed to continuing to support the Hellenic Navy by delivering the best standards of quality, on schedule and in full cooperation with our Greek partners.”

 

 

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