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

The protocols were signed aboard warship in the port city of La Spezia by Greek Minister Nikos Dendias and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto for the initial acquisition of two Bergamini-type frigates from the Italian Navy

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

The meeting's two key items are: the unfolding situation in the Middle East and a major decision regarding the upgrade of four MEKO-class frigates in the Hellenic Navy.

"I have asked the Minister of National Defence and the military leadership to ensure that naval ships are dispatched outside Libyan waters," Mitsotakis said.

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias is expected to arrive at the Naval Group shipyards on the Brittany coast on Wednesday

Weekend edition of Athens daily 'Ta Nea' points to upgraded weapons system package for Kimon-class French-made Belharra frigate