Today, 18 December 2025, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, attended the naming and Greek flag-raising ceremony of the first, out of four Frigates, FDI HN (“Belh@rra”), to be commissioned in the Hellenic Navy. The ceremony was held at the “Naval Group” facilities, in Lorient, France.
Upon his arrival, Mr Dendias was officially received by the Defence Minister of France, Catherine Vautrin. The two Ministers had a private meeting and a working lunch at the Naval Air Station Lann-Bihoue.
During the meeting they discussed matters pertaining to bilateral defence cooperation, regional and European security, as well as the perspectives to further deepen the strategic relations between the two countries, placing the emphasis on the implementation of current agreements, the cooperation in the field of defence industry, and the coordination of both sides against modern security challenges.
In their joint statements, the Minister of National Defence pointed out the following:
“Today is a great day for us and our country Greece. I would initially like to thank the French Minister of Defence for joining us here today, for receiving me and the Hellenic delegation with such a warm welcome. I think that this is the living proof of the close relations between Greece and France, of the Strategic Relations, the agreement for the Strategic Relations of which I am very proud, since it bears my signature.
We have had the chance to engage in dialogue with the Minister. We agreed that we will immediately initiate talks which will extend time-wise the Agreement of Strategic Cooperation between our countries, but allow me to come back to the importance of this very day.
It is not merely about delivering to the Hellenic Republic an exceptional ship. This is the first day of a new era. Belharra Frigate “Kimon” symbolizes exactly the entrance of the Hellenic Armed Forces, on the basis of the “2030 Agenda”, to the new era.
Additionally, I have had the chance to invite the French Minister to Athens, to welcome together this frigate, along the Greek society, with all Greek women and men.
I would like to thank her, I would like to thank the French Government and Naval Group for the cooperation and its exceptional results we are witnessing here today. Of course the weather here today is very bad, the exact opposite of the Greek-French relations which are rather warm and “sun-drenched”.
Asked by a journalist about the perspectives of the Hellenic Navy, Mr Dendias highlighted:
“We have announced a clear travel-order as to where the Hellenic Navy is headed. We have entered a new era. I think what is important here today is to cherish the moment, to welcome the ship which will soon set sails for the Naval Base, and from that point on I think we can discuss in Athens how the Hellenic Navy can extend and enlarge its capabilities”.
Subsequently, the Minister of National Defence travelled to the facilities of Naval Group where the Metropolitan of France Dimitrios performed a blessing, followed by the signing of the Ministerial Decision for the commissioning of Frigate FDI HN (“Belh@rra”) F-601 “KIMON” to the Fleet of the Hellenic Navy.
During his address the Minister stated the following:
“It is a great honour to be here in Lorient today, at the shipyards of “Naval Group”, on the occasion of the extremely symbolic moment of the hoisting of the Greek flag aboard this defence and intervention frigate “KIMON”, the first FDI destined for the Hellenic Navy.
Ladies and gentlemen, today is a very important day. It’s no news to you all the fact that Greece is an island nation, with sea communication channels. It leaves and breathes through the sea, and this is not a figure of speech, it is a reality. Greece has the biggest merchant fleet on the planet. That said, the Hellenic Navy should go hand in hand with powerful capabilities. The Hellenic Navy should have the ability and capability to be timely and reliably where the Greek interests are shaped.
Frigate “KIMON” bears a heavy, historic name. As the Chief of the Hellenic Navy put it, General KIMON interlinked naval power and the security of sea channels with the prosperity and the rise of the Athenian Democracy. Nevertheless, the name of this exceptional ship isn’t a mere reference to our historic past.
KIMON is coming back to the Mediterranean 2500 years later, to advocate Greece’s current power.
I had just had the exceptional honour to sign the commissioning of “KIMON” to our Hellenic Navy. Our deterrence capability is further enhanced. Our capability to defend our sovereignty and sovereign rights. Our capability to promote European values in a manner even more powerful.
And at his point I ought to make a mention of our Strategic Partnership with France. The country where this state-of –the art ship was built. The Strategic Partnership Agreement of the 28th of September 2021, which I signed as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, constitutes a strategic choice for our Country. It incorporates the solidarity between the two states.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The commissioning of “KIMON” and the other three frigates – that is, of the four frigates of this class – to the Hellenic Navy, renders the strongest Navy Hellenism has ever had. At this point I would like to thank Président-Directeur Général of “Naval Group”, Mr Pommellet for his explicit reference to the Hellenic defence industry. Also for agreeing with the fact that from this point on the Hellenic defence industry will participate in our joint defence effort with 25%, initiating a wider cooperation between the two ecosystems
I would also like to make one more clarification: Greece becomes more powerful, not to threaten but to protect. It becomes more powerful to deter. It becomes more powerful to guarantee. To guarantee the International Law. To guarantee an International perception which places Law above power.
This is a day of great joy for me personally. You can see that. I am handing over to the Hellenic Navy an exceptionally powerful platform. However, I would like to say that the personnel of the Armed Forces always has the same significance with the new modern platforms and the new modern capabilities for us.
Moreover, I must remind you that just a week ago, I experienced another joyous moment, when instead of a modern platform I handed over the keys of new residencies to military families. Because, the extended Military Family is based on powerful capabilities but also on the quality of living which we have to secure for the individuals serving on these powerful platforms and their families.
In a final remark, I would also like to express my gratitude to another person with us today, the Minister Mr Panagiotopoulos, with whom we had cooperated for the signing of the Frigates Agreements, who proved to be a close partner, friend and councillor all this time.
Finally, I would like to extend my most sincere thanks to the “Naval Group”, the administration, the personnel, all those who worked on this frigate and particularly the PDG, Pierre Eric Pommellet. Of course, I thank the members of the Hellenic Navy who prepared the commissioning of “KIMON” for the Hellenic Fleet. But also, the crew of “KIMON”, the Captain, the Officers and the Seamen who will presently board the ship and bring it back to Greece.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a day of great joy and honour for us.
(Translated from French)
Mr Chairman and CEO, I would like to thank you, as well as the whole of the “Naval Group” personnel, for the exemplary cooperation, the constant commitment and professionalism, which reflect credit upon both of our countries.
I sincerely thank you!”
The Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis, the MP and former Minister of National Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos, the MPs Dionysis Chatzidakis and Stathis Konstantinidis, the Chief of HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defence Antonios Oikonomou, the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of HNGS Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras HN, the Chief of HAFGS Lieutenant General (Pilot) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis and the Secretary General for National Security Thanos Ntokos also attended the ceremony.
Other attendees were the Civil Administrator of Mount Athos, former Minister of National Defence and honorary Chief of HAGS General (ret.) Alkiviadis Stefanis, the honorary Rear Admiral Panos Laskaridis and other benefactors of the Armed Forces, Greece’s Ambassador in France Antonios Alexandridis, the Ambassador of the French Republic in Greece Laurence Auer, the Chairman and CEO of “Naval Group” Pierre Éric Pommellet, representatives of foreign diplomatic and military delegations, representatives of Greek defence industries and other officials.
The Frigate’s Naming Ceremony followed, with honorary Rear Admiral Panos Laskaridis being the sponsor, and then the Greek Flag was raised and the crewmembers boarded the ship. Finally, the commissioning pennant was hoisted.
The Minister of National Defence addressed the crew:
“I do not need to tell you that everyone feels great joy and pride today. It is the first commissioning of a great unit for the Hellenic Fleet, after almost 30 years and “KIMON” is currently the best ship in the world, in its class.
Moreover, with the extra capabilities we have agreed to add in the future, “KIMON” and the other three ships – “THEMISTOKLIS”, “NEARCHOS” and “FORMIONAS” will remain the best ships on the planet, in their class, for a long time.
They are ships that offer to the Homeland, for the first time in its history, the capability of strategic weapons. A huge capability that secures deterrence.
As always, I would like to wish you well, from the heart, speaking not just on my behalf, not just on behalf of the Ministry of National Defence and the Government, but I believe on behalf of the entire society. Every Greek woman and man. May Saint Nikolaos protect you, may he stand on your bow forever and may you have favourable winds and calm seas. I wish you well”.
