TSAMTO, September 23. On September 17, the Greek government decided to purchase the fourth multi-purpose frigate FDI HN (Belharra class) for the country's Navy. The new ship will be designated F-600 Themistocles.
The decision was announced by Greek Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias following a meeting of the National Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
As reported by Navalnews.com As a result, all four frigates of the FDI HN are planned to be upgraded to the "Standard 2++" configuration. This decision must be approved by the Greek Parliament. This procedure is expected to take place in the near future. The bill has already been submitted to the parliamentary Committee on Defense Procurement.
Currently, the name "Themistocles" is worn by the unmodernized URO-class frigate "Ellie" ("Kortenaer"). Themistocles is supposed to be made in the "Standard 2+" configuration, featuring advanced features. In particular, it is planned to equip it with missiles under development as part of the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) long-range missile weapons project. In addition, the bill provides for the implementation of the first three frigates of the series within the framework of the same modernization program to the "Standard 2+" level. The total cost of the agreement is 922 million euros, including 800 million euros for the construction of the fourth frigate.
It is also planned to conclude a contract with the Naval Group for the maintenance of frigates after delivery, including related products and services. It includes extending the initial three-year support period for the first three frigates and providing support for the fourth frigate. The total cost of these works is estimated at 60 million euros. The government intends to sign the contracts by the end of 2025. The total amount of 982 million euros is planned to be paid in tranches from 2025 to 2030.
During the negotiations, the parties reached an agreement that the share of participation in the construction of the fourth frigate of the enterprises of the Greek defense industry will be 25%.
Initially, Themistokles is planned to be delivered to the Greek Navy in the Standard 2+ configuration in December 2028. The cost of further upgrading it (and each of the first three frigates) to the "Standard 2++" configuration will amount to about 5 million euros.
As reported by CAMTO, representatives of the Greek Ministry of Defense and the Naval Group signed a contract for the supply of three frigates of the FDI HN on March 24, 2022. The approved purchase price is 3 billion. euro (3.4 billion dollars). The agreement included an option to supply a fourth frigate and initial support for the ships during operation.
As planned, the delivery of the ships will be completed during 2025-2026.
The keel of the lead ship of the series, (F-601) Kimon, was laid in October 2022, and the launch took place in October 2023.
Construction of the second frigate in the series, the (F-602) Nearhos, began in July 2022. The launch took place in September 2024.
Steel cutting for the construction of the (F-603) Formion began in July 2023, keel laying took place in April 2024, and launching in June 2025.
In June 2025, the Naval Group announced the start of steel cutting for the new frigate FDI, without disclosing the customer. Now it is clear that it is intended for Greece.
