The Hellenic Navy frigate “Kimon” (F 601) on Friday departed from the Cypriot port of Limassol, continuing its high-profile mission to provide air cover in the east Mediterranean region, especially for Cyprus, amid the retaliatory strikes by Iran.
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 warship is the most modern and lethal in the Greek naval arsenal, having been received by the Hellenic Navy just last year.
Kimon’s Capabilities
Beyond its advanced anti-aircraft platform, the vessel has 32 vertical launch cells for Aster 30 missiles, providing long-range air defense capabilities.
It is equipped with the Sea Fire AESA radar, capable of simultaneously tracking multiple aerial targets, along with an advanced combat system. This configuration allows the crew of the Kimon to operate as a hub for air defense coverage over a wider area, not only for the warship itself but also for the operational region.
Φρεγάτα ΚΙΜΩΝ
F 601🇬🇷⚓🌊
📍 Απόπλους από Λιμένα Λεμεσού
#hellenicnavy #hellenic #navy pic.twitter.com/aEebXW4VLH— Πολεμικό Ναυτικό (@NavyGR) March 6, 2026
Technical Specifications
The Kimon is the first Greek FDI HN-type frigate, the inaugural vessel in the Kimon-class, and was designed from the outset as a fully digital warship.
Length: approximately 122 meters
Displacement: approximately 4,500 tons
Crew: 120–130 personnel
Propulsion: combination of diesel engines and electric drive to attain a low acoustic signature
Maximum speed: more than 27 knots
Sensors and Combat System
A Thales Sea Fire AESA 4D radar is installed in the PSIM (Panoramic Sensor & Intelligence Module)
A hull sonar and CAPTAS-4 towed sonar provides a strong anti-submarine footprint
A fully network-centric combat system, designed for simultaneous engagement of multiple threats
Armaments
VLS A50 Sylver launchers for Aster 30 missiles, deployed for the first time on a Greek frigate to provide capability of area air defense
Exocet MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles
RAM close-in air defense system
MU90 torpedoes
Capability to operate with a naval cooperation helicopter
