A critical year for Greek Naval characterizes 2026 the French company Naval Groupbuilder of FDI (Belharra) frigates.
With its announcement, it states that after the delivery in 2025 of the frigate “Kimon”, the first FDI of the series of four frigates produced for the Greek Navy, the Naval Group in collaboration with its French and Greek partners are proceeding with the construction of the next three FDIs, the frigate “Nearchos”, the frigate “Formion” and the frigate “Themistocles”.
Already, the frigate “Kimon” arrived in Greece in mid-January 2026, while the frigates are expected to be delivered this year “Newarchos” and “Formion”.
Regarding the progress of the FDI frigate construction program for the Hellenic Navy, Naval Group notes that the sea trials of “Nearchu” started in February this year while the second half of the year will see the completion of “final acceptance tests and sea readiness activities” with delivery estimated around October 2026.
For the frigate “Formia”the third in a row to be received by the Greek Navy, the first sea trials began on June 22.
HS Formion, 3rd FDI intended for the @NavyGR has started her first sea trials in Lorient, France. pic.twitter.com/shVAMuW3fQ
— Naval Group (@navalgroup) June 23, 2026
“This first two-week period is dedicated to safety and propulsion (speed, agility),” the announcement added.
“Thanks to the production process – hull and PSIM in parallel – the main Combat Systems sensors can even be tested starting from this first period,” explains the Naval Group.
“This milestone is also the success of Naval Group’s solid and ambitious Hellenic Industrial Participation (HIP) plan as the frigate carries numerous materials produced in Greece,” the announcement continues.
The materials are delivered “on time”, the announcement states, adding that the company Akmon is delivering consoles, Metlen the torpedo doors, Kafkas the electrical panels, Marita Hellas the life rafts, Mevaco the marine systems equipment, Salamina Shipyards the pre-equipped hulls while Viking Nordsafe Hellas the RHIBs.
The frigate is expected to be delivered at the end of the year.
For the frigate “Themistocles”the fourth FDI for the Hellenic Navy, ordered in November 2025, the pre-rigged blocks fully manufactured by the Salamis Shipyards have been assembled.
In addition, the hull assembly is proceeding to the dock and has recently floated to change position at the dock, the release added.
Assembly and equipment activities continue (equipment, fluids, insulation, piping, electrical systems, propulsion, painting, etc.) while, always according to the announcement, the construction of the panoramic sensor and intelligence module (PSIM) is progressing.
FDI Frigates: High Business Intensity Ships
As a front-line frigate, the FDI has proven its capabilities in all areas of warfare (anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, surface warfare and asymmetric threats).
Scalable and flexible, Naval Group says, it combines all fields of operations required to address, either autonomously or as part of a strike force, current and emerging threats such as latest-generation submarines, hypersonic missiles, cyber-attacks and complex asymmetric threats.
Its compact layout and unique design make it ideal for different environments and harsh marine conditions around the world.
The main features of the ship are:
– Displacement: 4,500 ton class
– Length: 122 meters
– Width: 18 meters
– Speed: 27 knots
– Autonomy: 45 days
– Capacity: 125 crew + 28 passengers
Emphasis on Greek Industrial Participation
As part of the Hellenic Industrial Participation plan signed in 2022, more than 120 contracts have been signed with around 70 Greek companies for the construction of Greek and French FDI.
Beyond the FDI program, the specific industrial plan has already brought numerous and lasting economic benefits to Greek industry as it has made it possible the inclusion of Greek companies in the supply chain of the Naval Group for current and future French and export programs.
Already 75 Greek companies are registered on Naval Group’s supply chain platform.
From this broader perspective, the Hellenic Defense Industrial and Technological Base (DITB) will strengthen its position in the global naval defense market, says Naval Group.
Indicative of the agreements with Greek defense companies, Naval Group reports that in March this year, Naval Group and Metlen signed a Memorandum of Cooperation regarding submarine and surface ship projects.
In addition, the Naval Group organized the R&D Partners Day in Athens.
The event aimed to identify new opportunities for cooperation between the Naval Group and its Greek partners, both in the context of invitations from the European Union and at a bilateral level, with the aim of exploring new technological fields.
The event gathered around 100 participants, mainly from the Greek defense industrial and technological base, including companies, laboratories, technology research centers and academic bodies such as universities.
Also, in May this year, two major contracts were signed between Naval Group and Mevaco and Naval Group and Akmon SA for the production of four sets of ship equipment, each consisting of more than 50 electronic consoles and cabinets for the FDI frigates.
In the same context, from 2022, the Salamina Shipyards have been fully integrated into the supply chain of the Naval Group for both French and Greek FDI programs.
15 of the 21 parts ordered have already been delivered. Consistency in their deliveries enables Naval Group, according to the release, to ensure timely and high-quality construction of FDI for its customers’ navies. Other sections are expected while the next shipment is already planned for this summer, the announcement concludes.
