The Hellenic Navy is set to take delivery of the second FDI Belharra-class frigate, the ‘Nearchos’, in October in Lorient, France. Naval Group has scheduled delivery for October 2026, and reports suggest the handover ceremony will take place on the 30th of the month. The ship was launched on 19 September 2024, began sea trials in February 2026 and is currently completing its final acceptance trials. Its crew has been undergoing training at the shipyard in the weeks leading up to delivery, and once the weapons have been loaded, the ‘Nearchos’ will set sail for Greece.
What does ‘Standard 2’ mean?
The ‘Nearchos’ is being delivered in the Standard 2 configuration, which is more comprehensive than that of the ‘Kimon’: all 32 Sylver 50 cells are operational and integrated into the SETIS combat system, as is the RAM self-defence system. According to Topontiki’s analysis, this gives it significantly greater air defence and self-protection capabilities than the ‘Kimon’ in its original form. However, this is not the final version. The final configuration, Standard 2++, adds new weapons, SETIS upgrades, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, drone countermeasures and the integration of unmanned systems. The first three ships are expected to be fitted with this configuration by the end of 2029.
‘Kimon’: already here, still a work in progress
The first FDI, the ‘Kimon’, was delivered in Lorient on 18 December 2025 in the presence of Nikos Dendias, called at Brest to be fitted with Exocet MM40 Block 3 and Aster 30 missiles, and arrived on 15 January 2026 at the Salamis Naval Base, at a ceremony attended by the President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, and the Prime Minister, passing alongside the battleship ‘Averof’. The ship’s captain is Commander Ioannis Kizanis. The ship was originally scheduled to enter service in early 2025; it therefore arrived almost a year late, and is currently in Standard 1 configuration, which is being gradually upgraded.
‘Formion’ and ‘Themistocles’
The third frigate, the ‘Formion’, set sail for sea trials in June 2026. According to Naval News, it will be delivered at the end of 2026 as Standard 1, remain in Lorient for an upgrade to Standard 2+, and sail for Greece in April 2027. The fourth, the ‘Themistocles’, was ordered in November 2025 following the exercise of the option clause in the 2021 contract (three ships plus one) and is expected in 2028, the first Greek FDI to be delivered directly in its fully configured state. Dendias has announced from Lorient that all the frigates will be equipped with Scalp Naval cruise missiles.
What does it cost, what’s changing?
The cost is roughly estimated at 1 billion euros per ship. The FDIs, measuring 122 metres and weighing 4,500 tonnes, are the Navy’s first new large warships in decades and are gradually replacing the ageing S-class frigates. Meanwhile, the Supreme Defence Council (KYSEA) approved in March the modernisation of all four MEKO frigates, so that the fleet will have eight modern frigates by the end of the decade. The 12-year planning period for 2025–2036 also includes coastal patrol vessels, the modernisation of submarines and missile boats.
2026 was described as a ‘landmark year’ for the Navy, with two deliveries within twelve months. The key point to bear in mind is the difference between the delivery date and the date of full operational capability: the ships are due to arrive in 2026 and 2027, whilst they will not be fully operational until 2029.
Source: Naval Group delivery schedule via Naval News (June 2026); Ministry of National Defence ceremonies on 18 December 2025 and 15 January 2026; Topontiki, 26 September 2026.
