Greece Welcomes First Belharra Frigate 'Kimonas'

Greece welcomed the 'Kimonas' frigate, the first Belharra (FDI HN) of the Hellenic Navy, as it arrived in the Saronic Gulf. The President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, were present at the welcoming ceremony. The arrival of the frigate marks the first addition of a new frigate to the Greek fleet in 28 years. During the ceremony, officials toured the bridge and spoke with the crew. The 'Kimonas' was accompanied by six ships of the Hellenic Navy, the battleship Averof, and the trireme Olympias. Gifts were exchanged with the captain, Commander Ioannis Kizanis, and the ship's officers. The frigates 'Nearchos' and 'Formion' are expected to join the fleet by the end of 2026, with the FDI HN program completing in 2028 with the 'Themistoklis' frigate. The acquisition of the new frigates significantly strengthens Greece's defense capabilities and contributes to the protection of its maritime borders.