Launching the HS Nearchos frigate on 19 September 2024, at Naval Group’s Lorient shipyard marks a step in Greece’s naval modernisation efforts under the 2030 Agenda.
The defence collaboration with France deepens, with Greek industry participation and technologies enhancing the country’s maritime defence capabilities.
Greek Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias highlighted it as an element in Greece’s efforts to safeguard national and European borders.
Speaking at the launch, Dendias hailed the frigate as a “station” and a “conquest” for the Hellenic Navy, “With the Nearchos, we are strengthening our presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, protecting our borders, and contributing to the stability of Europe,” Dendias noted.
Advancing Greece’s naval capabilities
The HS Nearchos is the second of three defence and intervention frigates (FDI) being built for the Hellenic Navy, with a fourth planned. The new frigate features technologies provided by Naval Group, MBDA, and Thales, including MBDA Exocet MM40 B3C missiles, Aster anti-missile systems, and MU90 torpedoes. These ships will play a role in anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface operations.
With a displacement of 4,500 tonnes, a length of 122 metres, and a speed of 27 knots, the HS Nearchos represents a multipurpose asset. The integration of a panoramic sensors and intelligence module, developed by Thales, will further enhance the frigate’s situational awareness, positioning it as a tool for asymmetric warfare.
The HS Nearchos will also be equipped with SCALP naval missiles, potentially enabling precision strikes on targets over 1,000km away. This capability demonstrates the Hellenic Navy’s ambition to enhance its long-range strike capacity, with Dendias stating that negotiations are underway to include this technology in all Greek FDIs.
GlobalData’s intelligence on the French defence market also highlights that the French Navy has signed a multi-year contract with Naval Group to develop and produce five new FDI-class frigates.
At the end of 2021, Naval Group held a keel-laying ceremony for the first defence and intervention (FDI) frigate ordered by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) for the French Navy.
Cooperation with France
This latest milestone also reflects the deepening defence partnership between France and Greece, formalised in 2021 through the Defense and Security Cooperation Agreement. The relationship, built on mutual defence and shared European values, has led to joint projects like the FDI programme. Dendias described the partnership as a “pillar of European defence policy.”
France has historically backed Greece in its relations with Turkey. Greece expresses specific concern that conflict (likely with Turkey) could break out in the Aegean Sea, GlobalData’s “Greece Defense Market 2024-2029” reports.
The HS Nearchos follows the HS Kimon, which is undergoing sea trials, with the third frigate, HS Formion, completing hull assembly in August 2024. One of its sections was produced by Salamis Shipyards in Greece, highlighting the growing role of Greek manufacturers in defence production. some 25 contracts have been signed with Greek companies as part of the FDI programme to increase local industry participation from 12% to 15%.
Greece’s long-term naval vision
As Greece moves forward with its 2030 defence agenda, the frigate programme is just one element of a strategy to modernise the Hellenic Navy. This includes MEKO-class frigate upgrades, new patrol boats, submarine acquisitions, and creating an “impregnable missile wall” in the Aegean Sea.
Minister Dendias concluded that the frigate launch “confirms our ability to project power and our position as a reliable ally.” Greece’s continued collaboration with France, along with its new naval capabilities, positions it as a player in safeguarding the future of regional security.
