Hellenic Navy's FDI HN to be known as Kimon-class frigates
The Hellenic Navy announced that during the plenary meeting of the Supreme Naval Council on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, it was decided to name the three FDI HN Frigates that are being built in Lorient, France, as follows:
- FDI HN #1: FFG Kimon (ΚΙΜΩΝ)
- FDI HN #2: FFG Nearchos (ΝΕΑΡΧΟΣ)
- FDI HN #3: FFG Formion (ΦΟΡΜΙΩΝ)
The three vessels are thus named after famous Greek Admirals:
Kimon (c. 510 – 450 BC) was an Athenian strategos (general and admiral) and politician. He is known for his bravery fighting in the naval Battle of Salamis (480 BC), during the Second Persian invasion of Greece.
Nearchos (c. 360 – 300 BC) was one of the officers, a navarch, in the army of Alexander the Great. He is known for his celebrated expeditionary voyage starting from the Indus River, through the Persian Gulf and ending at the mouth of the Tigris River following the Indian campaign of Alexander the Great,
Phormio was an Athenian general and admiral before and during the Peloponnesian War. A talented naval commander, Phormio commanded at several famous Athenian victories in 428 BC.
Kimon-class Frigate
Two FDI HN are currently under construction at the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient (Western France), with a third one on the way and option for a fourth vessel. The program was signed on 24 March 2022.
According to Naval Group, the FDI HN will quickly and sustainably enhance the capabilities of the Hellenic Navy’s surface fleet as they will be delivered in a very short timeframe. FDI HN #1, Kimon, will be delivered in early 2025. FDI HN #2, Nearchos, will be delivered in late 2025. FDI HN #3, Phormio, is set to be delivered in late 2026.
In a recent interview with Naval News, Hellenic Navy Commodore Theocharis Chatzopoulos said of the FDI HN: “These powerful combatants will dominate the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean flying proudly the Greek Flag.“
Technical specifications of the FDI HN
- Displacement: 4,500 tons
- Length: 122 meters
- Beam: 18 metres
- Maximum speed: 27 knots
- operational availability: 3,500 hours per year
- aviation facility: 10 ton-class helicopter, VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
The main weapon systems of the FDI HN are:
- 32 Aster missiles developed by MBDA
- 8 Exocet MM40 B3C missiles developed by MBDA
- RAM missiles
- MU 90 torpedoes developed by Naval Group
- 76 mm gun
- 4 torpedo tubes
- CANTO counter measures developed by Naval Group
