The Greek Minister of Defence visited Italy yesterday for talks with his Italian counterpart, focusing among other issues on the potential acquisition of 2+2 FREMM frigates.

Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, visited La Spezia, Italy on September 29, 2025, during the opening day of the SEAFUTURE exhibition. There, he met with his Italian counterpart, Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, who was joined by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, Admiral Enrico Credendino. The discussions were held aboard ITS Spartaco Schergat (F598), an Italian Navy FREMM frigate, a symbolic venue that highlighted the maritime focus of the agenda.

Alongside their bilateral meeting, the two ministers held expanded discussions on strengthening defence cooperation between Greece and Italy. At the centre of these talks was the potential transfer of 2+2 Bergamini-class (FREMM IT) frigates to the Hellenic Navy, through Fincantieri, which would significantly enhance the Hellenic Navy’s capabilities and complement the acquisition of four Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates from France.

In the presence of the two Ministers, a Memorandum of Cooperation on Naval Collaboration between Greece and Italy was signed, along with a Declaration of Intent for the acquisition of two Italian FREMM-type frigates. The final agreement will also include a support package. The agreement was signed by the Director General of the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA), Lieutenant General Ioannis Bouras, and his Italian counterpart, the Director of National Armaments, Admiral Giancinto Ottaviani.

Dendias stressed that the potential acquisition of “two or four decade-old ships with outstanding capabilities and in excellent condition” would significantly reinforce the Hellenic Navy, marking the dawn of a “New Era” under the Agenda 2030 framework. He noted the prospect of upgrades to the vessels in cooperation with Fincantieri, including the integration of next-generation ELSA missiles, also destined for the FDI HN frigates, which would further bolster Greece’s deterrence posture in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. He also underscored that Greece is swiftly closing the capability gap left by the decade-long financial crisis and expressed his satisfaction at having the Navy’s leadership present at this pivotal moment.

Hellenic Navy Inspects FREMM Frigates

Addressing the Hellenic Parliament’s Committee on National Defence and Foreign Affairs last week, Dendias noted that the purpose of his visit was “the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Italian side for the Bergamini frigates.” He underlined that this step does not constitute a procurement decision, but rather marks the formal launch of negotiations, following the completion of technical inspections by the Hellenic Navy (the most recent inspections were carried out on the frigate Carlo Bergamini few days ago and on the Carlo Margottini in March).

It is also possible that Hellenic Navy officers will soon conduct an inspection of the Virginio Fasan, the second-oldest ship of the class after Carlo Bergamini; both frigates commissioned in 2013. The frigate is among the Italian FREMMs currently being evaluated for acquisition by the Hellenic Navy.

The Greek Minister further added that:

Since there is a defined framework, I hope this will be successful. Specifically, two plus two Italian ships, the first two initially, and the other two when released by the Italians. If we achieve this, it will be a tremendous success for us. In a very short time, we will acquire the most powerful and modern Navy in our history. I must say that, for me, this remains both a great hope and a profound expectation.

Nikos Dendias, Greek Minister of National Defense

Greece with FREMM and FDI in 2030

The prospective arrangement between the two countris carries both operational and strategic weight. For Greece, the addition of FREMM frigates would provide combat-proven, multi-role warships at a time of sustained regional security challenges and an urgent need to replace the obsolete Elli-class (Kortenaer) frigates.

If everything proceeds according to plan, the Hellenic Navy will possess eight modern FREMM and FDI HN frigates by the early 2030s, carrying a total of at least 168 ASTER 30 SAMs, or up to 192 ASTER 30 SAMs if the last three FDI HN frigates are not ultimately fitted with 8-cell A70 VLS for cruise missiles, or if the A70 is not modified to also accommodate ASTER missiles. The addition of four upgraded Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigates will further create a powerful and capable frigate fleet.

For Italy, it would reinforce bilateral ties with a key NATO and EU partner, while consolidating the country’s position as a supplier of advanced naval platforms. In recent years, only one naval vessel designed by an Italian shipbuilder has been acquired by Greece: the Etna-class replenishment oiler Prometheus, commissioned in the early 2000s. Fruthermore, with the sale of the first FREMM to Greece, the Italian Navy will be able to replace it with new, more capable warships: the next-generation FREMM, known as the FREMM EVO.

The MoU is therefore more than a procedural milestone: it signals a mutual intent to deepen naval interoperability and broaden defence-industrial cooperation between the two Mediterranean allies.