[Kathimerini]
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced that Greece will sign contracts for the acquisition of a fourth FDI Belharra-class frigate within 2025, with negotiations nearing completion. The statement was made during the official launching ceremony of the third Greek FDI frigate, F-603 Phormion.
According to reports, the upcoming contract will be supplementary to the original order, with Greece exercising its option to acquire a fourth vessel at a cost of under €1 billion.
Dendias also revealed that Greece has secured industrial returns equal to 25% of the frigate’s value.
This means that one-quarter of the expenditure will be reinvested into Greek industry, either through other programs run by the manufacturing company or through follow-on support services for the Greek frigates.
The launching ceremony was held at the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient, a coastal town in northwestern France.
For the first time, all three Greek FDI frigates, F-601 Kimon, F-602 Nearchos, and F-603 Phormion, were showcased together, moored side by side along the banks of the Scorff River.
During the event, Minister Dendias toured the lead ship of the class, FDI Kimon. He was welcomed aboard on the helipad by members of the crew and received a guided tour from the vessel’s commanding officer.