The third FDI frigate for the Hellenic Navy, HS Formion (F603), started her first sea trials on June 22nd setting sail from the Lorient shipyard. According to Naval Group, the FDI HN program is progressing smoothly and 2026 marks several miletones.
The French Shipbuilder announced the start of sea trials for HS Formion on social media. Formion is the third of four frigates on order for Greece as part of the FDI HN program. According to Naval Group, this first period of two weeks is dedicated to safety
and propulsion (speed, maneuverability…). “Thanks to our production process – hull and PSIM in parallel – main Combat Systems sensors can even be tested starting in this first period.” the shipbuilder added.
Formion will be the first FDI HN frigate to be delivered in the “Standard 2+” variant. The delivery to the Hellenic Navy is set for the end of 2026 as a “Standard 1” vessel. It will remain in France for upgrade to “Standard 2+” and then sail to Greece in April 2027.
The first two ships of the class, HS Kimon was delivered to the Hellenic Navy in December 2025 in the initial (Standard 1) French configuration (FDI). HS Nearchos, the second ship-in-class, will be delivered in October 2026 in the “Standard 2” configuration.
As previously reported by D Mitch, the Greek frigates will undergo a series of incremental upgrades through 2030, progressively transitioning from the Standard 1 configuration which is equivalent to the French Navy’s FDI baseline, to Standard 2, Standard 2+, and ultimately Standard 2++. The final Standard 2++ configuration will feature the integration of additional weapon systems, including 16 ASTER 30 SAM, a 21-round RAM Block 2B SAM launcher, and SYLENA Mk2 AAW DLS, along with major software and systems upgrades to SETIS CMS, sensors, and other electronics as well as the full integration of CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS and enhanced weapon-system integration across the platform.
Facts about FDI HN as shared by Naval Group:
After the delivery in 2025 of HS KIMON, the first FDI of the series of 4 frigates produced for the Hellenic Navy, Naval Group alongside its French and Greek partners are fully committed to the construction of the 3 next FDI : HS Nearchos, HS Formion and HS Themistokles. For the Hellenic Navy, 2026 marks major milestones with:
- The arrival of HS Kimon in Greece mid-January (after leaving Brest on the 7th of January)
- The delivery of the 2 following ships, HS Nearchos and HS Formion.
Programme progress
About HS NEARCHOS:
- Second FDI for the Hellenic Navy;
- Sea trials started in February 2026;
- Final acceptance trials and sea readiness activities finalized during the second semester;
- Delivery October 2026.
About HS FORMION:
- Third FDI for the Hellenic Navy;
- First sea trials started on June, 22nd;.
- This milestone is also the success of Naval Group steady and ambitious Hellenic Industrial
Participation plan (HIP), as the frigate carries numerous materials produced in Greece, all
delivered on time : e.g. AKMON (consoles), METLEN (torpedo doors), KAFKAS (electrical
cabinets), Marita HELLAS (life rafts), MEVACO (marine systems equipment), SALAMIS
SHIPYARDS (pre-outfitted hull blocks), VIKING NORDSAFE HELLAS (RHIB). - Delivery by the end of 2026.
About HS THEMISTOKLES :
- Fourth FDI for the Hellenic Navy, ordered in November 2025;
- Pre-outfitted blocks fully manufactured by Salamis Shipyards have been assembled to FDI
Themistokles; - The hull assembly is progressing in the dry-dock and has even recently floated to change
position in the dry-dock; - Assembly and outfitting activities continue (equipment, fluids, insulation, piping, electrical
systems), propulsion, painting, etc. before its launching in spring 2027; - In parallel, the construction of the Panoramic sensor and intelligence module (PSIM) is
progressing before joining the test platform and its embarkment on HS Formion following its
launching.
