The “SALAMIS-01/26” exercise brought together naval and air assets from Greece and Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, coordinated from Larnaca as part of a bilateral agreement to strengthen regional search and rescue capabilities.

The Belharra-type frigate which, together with the frigate “Psara”, sailed from Greece to strengthen Cyprus’s air defense umbrella, in a highly symbolic and substantive act of providing military support

The air-defense system arrived on the Greek island amid Middle East tensions, following reported Iranian drone attacks near a British base in Cyprus.

The most modern and lethal warship in the Hellenic Navy is named for the ancient Athenian general who expanded the celebrated Greek city-state's maritime dominance in the eastern Mediterranean against the Persian empire

The combined presence of the frigates and fighter jets marks what observers call a new phase in Cyprus’ defensive posture.

Greece’s newest and most advanced warship has completed its first month under Hellenic Navy command and is now undergoing a six-month operational evaluation, as officials consider a request for a ceremonial visit to Rhodes in 2026

The governor of the South Aegean has formally requested the docking of the Hellenic Navy’s new FDI frigate “Kimon” in Rhodes to mark the 78th anniversary of the Dodecanese’s union with Greece, highlighting national pride and local security

The development comes after last month’s celebrated arrival in Greece of the first Kimon-class frigate, the “Kimon” at the Salamina naval station.

Greek Defense Minister Dendias meets French counterpart on board the Belharra frigate“Kimon” to discuss expanded naval cooperation, new frigates, and a five-year upgraded defense pact

The arrival of the first Belharra-class frigate “Kimon” strengthens Greece’s naval defense, marking a historic moment alongside the iconic Averof and trireme Olympias

The Hellenic Navy is set to formally receive its first Belharra-class frigate with a ceremonial arrival near Athens, marking a symbolic milestone for Greece’s naval modernization.

The new flagship of the Hellenic Navy set sail from the port city of Lorient, on France's Atlantic coast, and is expected to arrive on Thursday at the Salamina anchorage

The FDI-class warship is expected to reach Greek waters in early January 2026

Greece celebrates the commissioning of its first FDI HN Belharra frigate, “Kimon,” with a ceremony highlighting naval strength, Franco-Greek defense cooperation, and the strategic role of modernized Hellenic Navy capabilities.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias will attend the naming and flag-raising ceremony of Greece’s first Belharra-class frigate in Lorient, marking a key step in Greek-French defense cooperation

The Defence and Intervention Frigate (FDI), built by France's Naval Group, will be named Themistocles

The exercise involved mine neutralization teams, divers, autonomous mine detection and disposal vehicles, medical staff, and support personnel from Belgium, Estonia, the United States, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Poland and host Greece

According to reports, top navy officials have already met with representatives of the shipyards producing the French Scorpene and the Korean Submarine-III, respectively

Besides deputies from the ruling New Democracy (ND) party, MPs from the socialist-social democrat PASOK party, the main opposition, as well as lesser opposition parties SYRIZA, Elliniki Lysi and Niki voted in favor

Athens is expanding its naval fleet with a deal for 2+2 Italian FREMM Bergamini-class frigates, complementing French-built Belharra vessels and upgraded MEKOs, in a major modernization plan to strengthen its presence in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean