On January 15, 2026, the Hellenic Navy’s first FDI HN, HS Kimon (F-601), reached her homeland for the first time via the Saronic Gulf.
Greece MoD press release
Greece’s Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, attended today, Thursday 15 January 2026, the at-sea reception ceremony of the first FDI HN (Belh@rra-class) frigate, F-601 “KIMON”, in the Saronic Gulf, in the presence of His Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Also present were the Deputy Minister of National Defence Athanasios Davakis, Vice-President of Parliament Vasileios Viliardos, former Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament Nikos Panagiotopoulos, former Minister of National Defence, Member of Parliament, Honorary Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and Admiral (ret.) Evangelos Apostolakis, Members of Parliament Stavros Michaëlidis, Nina Kasimati, Andreas Voryllas, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN, the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff Lieutenant General (Pilot) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, the Secretary-General for National Security Thanos Dokos, the Ambassador of France to Greece Laurence Auer, the Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet Vice Admiral Christos Sassiakos HN, and Rear Admiral (ret.) Panagiotis Laskaridis.
Mr. Dendias stated from aboard frigate “KIMON”:
“Today is a great day for the Hellenic Navy.
A great day for the Armed Forces.
A great day for our Homeland.The frigate KIMON is sailing in Greek waters, in the waters of the Aegean.
And I would like to say, without any exaggeration, that this frigate, in the ‘Standard 2 ++’ configuration, is the most powerful frigate on the planet.
It is a weapon system that will strengthen the Armed Forces of our Homeland in their primary mission, which is to deter any form of aggression and to ensure the great public good of security for Greek society, for Greek citizens, for our country. Its mission is to safeguard our sovereignty and our sovereign rights.
But I would also like to say something more. Today we are witnessing the transition to a new era.
Through the ‘Agenda 2030’, the Armed Forces of our Homeland are being transformed from a collection of weapons systems into a knowledge-based force — a mechanism for information processing, comprehensive risk management, and holistic response to challenges.
We are creating the capability for modern data processing and rapid response to any challenge through platforms such as KIMON, integrated into a unified system with a holistic approach.
Greece, Greek citizens — every Greek woman and every Greek man — can feel safer. Through their own sacrifices, the Armed Forces of our Homeland are entering the 21st century with steady and decisive steps.
May the ship always be safe.
May Saint Nicholas be on her bow, granting fair weather and favorable winds.
And, of course, may Saint Nicholas protect her crew and their families.”
– End –
About Hs Kimon
The HS Kimon frigate is a 4,500-ton-class high-sea warship designed and built by Naval Group. Multipurpose and resilient, she features high level capabilities in all naval combat domains: anti-ship, anti-air, antisubmarine and special forces projection, with unique capabilities against asymmetric threats. She benefits from Thales’ latest innovations in radar, sonar and electronic warfare.
Strongly armed (MBDA Exocet MM40 B3C anti-surface missiles and Aster anti-air missiles, RAM systems, MU90 antisubmarine torpedoes, artillery), the HS Kimon frigate embarks a helicopter and a capacity for an aerial vehicle (UAV).
She also benefits from the expertise of Thales, MBDA, and all our other partners and subcontractors.
Technical specifications of the First FDI HN Kimon:
- displacement: 4,500 tons ;
- length: approx. 122 meters ;
- width: 18 meters ;
- maximum speed: 27 knots ;
- aviation facilities: 10-ton class helicopter, VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The main armaments of the HS Kimon 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 countermeasures developed by Naval Group.
You can read Naval News‘ analysis about HS Kimon at this link.
Watch our video coverage of the delivery ceremony of HS Kimon below:
