The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, attended today, Thursday 15 January 2026, the at-sea reception ceremony of the first FDI HN (Belh@rra) 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.
The ceremony was also honoured with the presence of the Deputy Minister of National Defence Athanasios Davakis, the 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, Honourary Chief HNDGS and Admiral (ret.) Evangelos Apostolakis, Members of Parliament Stavros Michailidis, Nina Kasimati, Andreas Voryllas, the Chief HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief HNGS Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras, the Chief HAFGS Lieutenant General 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 Dassiakos 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 weapon 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.
