On June 4, 2025, Naval Group marked a significant milestone with the ceremonial launch of the third Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) frigate, Hellenic Ship (HS) FORMION, at its shipyard in Lorient, France. The event was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including Nikolaos Dendias, Minister of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic, and General (Armament) Alexandre Lahousse, Deputy General Director of France’s National Armaments Directorate (DGA). Other key attendees included General Dimitrios Choupis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defense; Vice Admiral Dimitrios E. Kataras, Chief of the Hellenic Navy; Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of Staff of the French Navy; and Major General Ioannis Bouras, General Director of Greece’s GDDIA.
The industrial launch of HS FORMION occurred earlier on May 28, marking an important phase as all three FDI frigates destined for the Hellenic Navy are now afloat on the Scorff River. This development highlights the program’s progress, with HS KIMON currently undergoing sea trials and HS NEARCHOS transferred to the right bank for outfitting ahead of harbor trials scheduled after the summer. Delivery of the three vessels is anticipated between 2025 and 2026. This occasion underscores the robust industrial collaboration between France and Greece, exemplified by the construction of FDI series blocks at the Salamis shipyard in Greece and the integration of approximately 70 Greek companies into Naval Group’s supply chain. As a result, HS FORMION and her sister ships incorporate several components “made in Greece,” reinforcing the strategic partnership.
The Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (English: Defence and Intervention Frigate) or FDI represents a cutting-edge program initiated in 2015 to complement France’s Aquitaine-class vessels. For the Hellenic Navy, the Kimon-class—also referred to as FDI HN—is a more heavily armed variant tailored to meet Greece’s maritime defense needs. While the lead ship was initially expected to enter service in early 2025, sea trials are now projected to conclude by late 2025, followed by handover. Displacing 4,500 tons, the FDI HN is a versatile and resilient warship designed to ensure the Hellenic Navy maintains maritime superiority in the Eastern Mediterranean. Equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities in anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-ship, and special forces projection operations, it also offers unique strengths against asymmetric threats. The vessel benefits from Thales’ latest innovations, including the SeaFire radar, advanced sonar systems, electronic warfare suites, and communication technologies.
Reports indicate that these frigates will feature an extensive weapons fit, capable of carrying up to 32 Aster-30 air defense missiles. Additionally, they will be equipped with a Mk31 21-cell launcher housing RAM Block 2B surface-to-air missiles for point defense, eight MBDA Exocet MM40 B3c anti-ship missiles, two dual MU90 torpedo launchers, and SYLENA Mk1 decoy launching systems for CANTO anti-torpedo countermeasures. Armed to the teeth with MBDA Exocet MM40 B3c anti-surface missiles, Aster anti-air missiles, Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM), MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, and advanced artillery systems, HS FORMION can simultaneously deploy a helicopter and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The vessel leverages expertise from industry leaders such as Thales and MBDA, alongside contributions from numerous partners and subcontractors.
