The Greek Navy welcomes the FDI HN Frigate Kimon

Kimon Frigate (F601): Greece’s newest naval asset set to arrive in summer 2025.

The Greek Navy is set to welcome the Kimon Frigate (F601) in the summer of 2025, specifically between June and August. This marks a significant addition to Greece’s naval capabilities, as the Kimon is the first of the FDI HN class frigates, also known as Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (Frigate for Defense and Intervention).

The Kimon Frigate will enhance the Greek Navy’s firepower and intervention capabilities, thereby reinforcing Greek sovereignty in the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and beyond. The Greek Frigate is named the Athenian politician and General Kimon, who lived in the 5th century BC, and carries the designation F601. Construction began at Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient, France, in January 2022, with its launch taking place on October 4, 2023.

Currently, 120 personnel from the Hellenic Navy are undergoing training in France to operate the advanced systems aboard the Kimon Frigate. Greece has also procured two additional frigates: Nearchos (F602) and Formion (F603). The Nearchos is expected to be operational by November-December 2025, while Formion is slated for late 2026.

On July 16, 2024, Greece’s National Security Council approved the acquisition of Schiebel Camcopter S-100 unmanned helicopters for use with the FDI HN frigates. Furthermore, on September 19, 2024, Greek Defense Minister Nikolaos Dendias announced plans to purchase a fourth FDI HN frigate, confirmed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.