The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, attended today, Friday 30 October 2026, the christening ceremony and the raising of the Greek flag over the second Greek FDI ΗΝ (Belharra) type Frigate “NEARCHOS”, which marks its official commissioning into the Hellenic Navy.

Upon Mr. Dendias’s arrival at Lorient, he was officially received by the Minister of the Armed Forces of France, Catherine Vautrin, after which the two Ministers of Defence had a private meeting and held a joint press conference.

The Minister of National Defence then went to Naval Group’s facilities, where a blessing was officiated by the Metropolitan of France Dimitrios, following which the Minister signed the Ministerial Decision for the commissioning of the FDI ΗΝ (Belharra) Frigate “NEARCHOS” into the Hellenic Fleet.

This was followed by the christening ceremony of the Frigate, whose sponsor was Athanasios Martinos, the raising of the Greek flag, the boarding of the crew members, and the raising of the commissioning pennant.

After his address, Mr. Dendias stressed the following:

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my honour to be again here in Lorient, at Naval Group’s facilities, for the christening and acceptance of Frigate ‘NEARCHOS’ into the Hellenic Navy.

After Frigate ‘KIMON’, this second Defence and Intervention Frigate marks a new step towards the reinforcement of our fleet and for the implementation of the strategic cooperation between Greece and France.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today our country receives ‘Nearchos’.

Our Navy’s second modern Frigate, thus adding a second first-line platform to our Fleet. And, of course, before the end of 2026, these will be followed by ‘Formion’ – you saw it just before; furthermore, all four Frigates, including ‘Themistoklis’, which will be delivered in 2028 in cooperation with “Naval Group”, will be upgraded by 2030 to the Standard 2+++ level.

At this level, they will comprise the most advanced air defence, strategic strike, and self-defence capabilities. They will become the best ships of their class in the world.

And, of course, our country will continue its cooperation with “Naval Group”. These deliveries implement a comprehensive planning of the “Agenda 2030” that includes the protection of sea routes, the protection of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Hellenism in the broader Eastern Mediterranean region, as well as the protection of European interests.

These new technologies also have a European dimension which should not be ignored.

We have taken, ladies and gentlemen, huge steps forward in the sacred affair that is our country’s defence. And the Hellenic Navy is a main pillar of this effort.

By the end of this decade, we will have a new Hellenic Navy with 10 modern or modernised Frigates and possibly 2 additional ones, as well as a new overall concept.

A new operational approach which, as I have repeatedly said, will also include Autonomous Unmanned Systems, which will cooperate with the modern platforms we acquire.

In conclusion, addressing the Captain and the crew of ‘Nearchos’ and, through them, all personnel of the Fleet and the Hellenic Navy, I would like to tell them that the country trusts you completely. The country entrusts you with one of the most advanced ships in the world and the most advanced ship of our Fleet, together with ‘Kimon’, with this main and sacred purpose: to protect our country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights. It is our obligation, using what was provided through the sacrifices of the Greek taxpayer, to pass down to future generations what was passed down to us whole.

I would like to thank the management and all personnel of Naval Group and the Greek and French teams for their contribution to the implementation of the programme.

Greece and France continue their efforts together for the security of the Mediterranean and the enhancement of European security.

Thank you”.

The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras HN, the Commander in Chief of the Hellenic Fleet, Vice Admiral Christos Sasiakos HN, the General Director of the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments of the Ministry of National Defence, Major General Ioannis Bouras, the Ambassador of Greece to France Ioannis Miltiadis Nikolaidis, the Ambassador of France to Greece Nicolas Kassianides, Athanasios Martinos and his wife Marina Martinou, the Chairman and CEO of “Naval Group” Pierre Éric Pommellet, and other officials.

French attendees included the Chief of Staff of the French Navy, Admiral Christophe Cluzel, the Head of the Military Cabinet of the Minister of the Armed Forces, Vice Admiral Nicolas Lambropoulos, the General Director of the Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) Patrick Pailloux, the Director for International Development of the Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) Gaël Diaz de Tuesta, the Chairman of the French National Assembly’s National Defence and Armed Forces Committee Jean-Michel Jacques, Members of the French National Assembly Damien Girard, Nicole Le Peih, and Michel Criaud, Senator Yves Bleunven, the Mayor of Lorient and Chairman of the Lorient Agglomération Fabrice Loher, the Mayor of Lanester Gilles Carreric, and other representatives of the Morbihan local government.

The ceremony was also attended by the Special Envoy of the President of the French Republic to Lebanon and former Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Yves Le Drian, with whom Mr. Dendias had a brief discussion.

Addressing the crew, the Minister of National Defence said the following:

“Captain, members of the crew of ‘Nearchos’,

This is a very important day for the Hellenic Republic.

It entrusts you with the most advanced platform created to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights.

‘Nearchos’ is an excellent ship, as is ‘Kimon’. But its capabilities actually depend on each and every one of you.

On your efforts, your dutifulness, your love for the country.

I have said it before, we were not lucky enough to be a country like Luxembourg. Our country sits on an enviable position, but is not in a region of angels.

So, our ability to hand over what was handed over to us requires everyone’s efforts.

Our will to defend what was handed over to us and a clear message to any aggressor that we intent to defend it.

In conclusion, I would like to tell you that I am well aware of the level of pay you receive from the State, which is not where we want it to be.

And I would also like to tell you that, within the framework of the savings we achieved with the New Force Structure, which was approved by the competent Committee of the Hellenic Parliament a few days ago, I will propose, and I am certain that the Governmental National Security Council will accept it next week, and we will try to improve the level of pay you receive from the State.

Not because I believe that it is necessary for you to carry out your duty. I know that you will do it anyway. But because this is what is right and fair.

I also want you to be able to be at home and not spend more than 200 days per year at sea on your ship. And also that these days at sea are, as I said before, properly compensated.

Again, it is not these that are important. What is important is the duty to the country.

So, I would like to express my appreciation to you for your successful presence here in Lorient. You have garnered the positive comments of the French side.

We will welcome you in a few days at home.

I wish you fair winds and following seas and may Saint Nicholas always be with you! I wish you all the best”!

This was followed by the inauguration ceremony of the ship’s gym, which is a donation from the sponsor Athanasios Martinos. The Minister then went to the Frigate’s bridge, where he presented the Captain and the crew with the icon of Saint Nicholas and signed the ship’s guestbook.