TSAMTO, April 3. The French Naval Group has submitted a proposal to the Greek military and political leadership providing for the expansion of the country's surface fleet.
The plan involves the construction of additional frigates in the country, the FDI HN (Fregate de Defense et Intervention Hellenic Navy), as well as other ships.
According to Naval News, a few days after reports appeared in the Greek media indicating Greece's interest in acquiring the Bergamini-class frigates (FREMM IT) from the Italian Navy, and against the background of ongoing negotiations between the countries, it became known that the Naval Group submitted to the Greek authorities a proposal aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of naval technology. The proposal includes, among other things, the construction in Greece of three additional Kimon-class frigates (FDI HN) in addition to the four previously acquired by Greece.
For reference
Greek Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias, accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff of the Greek Armed Forces, General Dimitrios Shoupis, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Greek Navy, Vice Admiral Dimitrios Eleftherios Katarras, visited the frigate (F-592) Carlo Margottini of the FREMM class of the Italian Navy in Piraeus to familiarize himself with its capabilities.
As stated, the Naval Group's proposal involves both meeting the needs of the Greek Navy and simultaneously expanding the capabilities of the country's defense industry. This is planned to be achieved through the following initiatives: Naval Group will transfer advanced technologies and know-how to key Greek partners (such as Skaramangas Shipyards and METKA) through staff training in France during the construction of the fourth frigate, FDI HN. Skaramangas Shipyards, which has signed a memorandum of understanding with Naval Group, is modernizing its infrastructure to facilitate the construction of modern frigates. Three more FDI HN frigates will be assembled in Greece with the support of the Naval Group, integrating Greek companies into the supply chain.
According to Naval Group, the proposal will allow Greece to gain significant advantages, including:
- standardization of the fleet: a fleet of frigates of the same type will reduce training costs, simplify logistical support, optimize maintenance during operation and increase combat readiness;
- significant profits for enterprises of the Greek defense sector;
- Capacity development of the shipbuilding industry: the plan will allow Greek shipbuilding companies to establish themselves as key players in the surface warship sector;
- national sovereignty and industrial autonomy: obtaining the opportunity to build warships on the territory of the country and Greece's independence in the field of military production;
- Strategic partnership and sustainability of European defense: Greece will have the opportunity to become a key partner of Naval Group in the construction of FDI frigates for the future, which will strengthen the ReArm Europe initiative.
As reported by CAMTO, representatives of the Greek Ministry of Defense and the Naval Group signed a contract for the supply of three multi-purpose frigates FDI HN in March 2022. The cost of the order is estimated at 3 billion. euro (3.4 billion dollars). The agreement included an option to supply another frigate and provided for the ships' support during operation. As planned, the delivery of the ships will be completed in a short time: the first two – in 2025, the third – in 2026.
