Gov’t Formally Approves 4th Belharra Frigate Purchase

Members of the high-ranking Government Council for National Security (KYSEA) have reportedly “rubber-stamped” the purchase of a fourth French-made Belharra frigate, according to several press reports on Wednesday, including foreign media outlets.
The council meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
According to unnamed government sources, KYSEA members adopted a previously widely reported recommendation by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias to proceed with the purchase of a fourth state-of-the-art warship, which is designed and constructed by France’s Naval Group.

The current Mitsotakis government has previously agreed with France and Naval Group to purchase three new Belharra frigates, officially called the Fregate de Defense d’Intervention, namely, the HS “Kimon,” which has already begun sea trials, the HS “Formion” – launched in June – and the future “Nearchos”), a deal worth approximately three billion euros that features an option to purchase one additional vessel.

The fourth frigate will reportedly be named “Themistoklis” and will be capable of deploying ballistic missiles, Dendias has said.

Any purchase contract must be forwarded to Parliament for final ratification.