Greece’s Ministry of National Defense is moving at full speed to modernize the country’s fleet. Following the signing of a naval cooperation memorandum with Italy and a Declaration of Intent to acquire 2+2 FREMM Bergamini-class frigates, Athens is pushing ahead with one of the most ambitious upgrades in the history of the Hellenic Navy.
The agreement comes just after Greece finalized its fourth FDI Belharra-class frigate order from France, and signals a broader plan to cover urgent operational needs for surface combatants.
A Fleet for the Next Decade
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias outlined a naval strategy stretching to 2030:
- 4 FDI Belharra frigates (Standard 2++),
- 2+2 FREMM Bergamini-class frigates,
- 4 upgraded MEKO-class frigates.
This 12-ship fleet will replace Greece’s aging S-class frigates, some of which are approaching 40 years in service.
“This will be a truly significant navy—capable of defending our sovereignty and sovereign rights both in the Aegean and in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Dendias declared, stressing the deterrent power the Hellenic Navy is set to acquire.
Testing the Bergamini
Momentum accelerated in late September when the Italian frigate Carlo Bergamini (F-590) docked at the Salamis Naval Base near Athens. Hellenic Navy officers inspected the vessel’s engines, electronics, sensors, communications, and weapons systems.
Reports confirmed the ship’s condition was far better than expected—essentially “used but like new.” This positive evaluation cleared the way for Dendias’ official trip to Italy, where he reached an agreement with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.
The FREMM program (Frigate European Multi-Mission) is a joint Italian-French project. Built by Fincantieri, the Italian Bergamini-class comes in two versions: General Purpose (GP) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
Italy began commissioning Bergamini-class ships in 2012. With the next-generation FREMM EVO frigates set to arrive by the end of the decade, Rome decided to release several current units for transfer.
The first two ships likely bound for Greece are the Carlo Bergamini (F-590) and the Virginio Fasan (F-591)—combat-tested, heavily armed, and among the most powerful vessels in Italy’s fleet.
Carlo Bergamini: Power and Versatility
The Carlo Bergamini is a General Purpose frigate displacing 6,700 tons, measuring 144 meters in length, 19.7 meters in beam, and capable of speeds exceeding 27 knots thanks to its CODLAG (Combined Diesel-Electric and Gas) propulsion.
Key features include:
- ATHENA CMS combat system (Leonardo)
- Kronos Grand Naval AESA radar
- OTO Melara 127/64 LW Vulcano main gun
- 16 vertical launch cells (Sylver A50) for Aster 15/30 missiles
- Otomat Teseo anti-ship missiles
- MU90 torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare
- Hangar and deck for up to two helicopters (NH90 or MH-60R).
Virginio Fasan: The Submarine Hunter
The Virginio Fasan is optimized for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). While sharing the same dimensions and propulsion, it carries specialized equipment, most notably the CAPTAS-4 towed sonar, offering long-range submarine detection.
It also fields four MILAS anti-submarine rockets, though this reduces its loadout of anti-ship missiles to four.
Together, these two ships would significantly boost Greece’s capabilities in both surface and underwater warfare, reinforcing its position in a region where naval power plays a central role in security.
