Key Takeaways
Greece has received Nearchos, its second FDI frigate, with expanded air defenses
Added weapons include vertical missile launchers and a 21-cell RAM defense system
Nearchos is scheduled for further combat system and sensor upgrades by April 2029
Greece has received HS Nearchos, its second Defense and Intervention Frigate, adding a warship with expanded air defenses to the Hellenic Navy’s fleet. Naval Group handed over the vessel on October 30 at its Lorient shipyard in France.
The delivery took place in the presence of Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin.
Nearchos follows HS Kimon, delivered in December 2025, as Greece advances its FDI frigate program. The new ship arrives with additional weapons under the Standard 2 configuration, strengthening its ability to defend against aerial threats.
Additional weapons strengthen air defenses
Nearchos differs from the lead ship in the combat capabilities included in its delivery configuration.
Its Standard 2 equipment includes two additional A50 SYLVER vertical launch system modules, four SYLENA Mk1 decoy launchers, and a 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile system for close-in defense.
These additions form the main weapons upgrade over the initial Standard 1 configuration. The distinction also concerns how the equipment is integrated with the ship’s combat management system.
Kimon has been fitted with additional weapons, but Naval News reports that full installation and integration with its SETIS combat management system, bringing it to Standard 2, will be completed by October 2027.
Thefrigatesalso feature the SEAFIRE multifunction radar, SENTINEL electronic support system, and PASEO XLR electro-optical fire-control equipment.
Further upgrades planned for the fleet
The delivery configuration is one stage in a broader development plan for the Kimon-class frigates. Naval News reports that Nearchos is scheduled to reach Standard 2++ in April 2029.
More from Military
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A potential later configuration could replace one forward A50 launcher module with an A70 module capable of accommodating naval cruise missiles. That remains a possible future development rather than equipment included in the current delivery.
Industrial partnership supports long-term operations
Beyond the handover, Naval Group’s announcement outlines the industrial arrangements supporting Greece’s frigate program, which began in 2022.
More than 75 Greek companies participate across the company’sFDI frigateand submarine programs.
Their work includes electronic maps, pre-armed ship blocks, and complex mechanical and electronic systems. That figure covers both programs, rather than the frigates alone.
The Hellenic Navy has also awarded Naval Group the initial in-service support contract for its FDI vessels. Maintenance and upgrades will involve the company, its Greek subsidiary Naval Group Hellas, and local industrial partners.
“Only ten months after the delivery of HS Kimon, it is an honor to deliver the second FDI frigate,” Naval Group Chairman and CEO Pierre Éric Pommellet said.
Naval Groupsaid the third frigate, HS Formion, is planned for delivery by the end of 2026. Under that schedule, Greece would receive three FDI frigates within roughly a year of Kimon’s handover.
The support partnership provides the arrangements for maintaining and upgrading the ships throughout their service.
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Atharva GosaviAtharva is a full-time content writer with a post-graduate degree in media & amp; entertainment and a graduate degree in electronics & telecommunications. He has written in the sports and technology domains respectively. In his leisure time, Atharva loves learning about digital marketing and watching soccer matches. His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.
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- 3New polymer electrolyte helps sodium batteries retain 90% capacity after 1,000 cycles
- 4China could launch its first aircraft carrier with nuclear-powered system after 80,000-ton vessel
- 5'Starlight feeds my core': Google satellite chip pens first-ever space data center poem
Key Takeaways
Greece has received Nearchos, its second FDI frigate, with expanded air defenses
Added weapons include vertical missile launchers and a 21-cell RAM defense system
Nearchos is scheduled for further combat system and sensor upgrades by April 2029
Greece has received HS Nearchos, its second Defense and Intervention Frigate, adding a warship with expanded air defenses to the Hellenic Navy’s fleet. Naval Group handed over the vessel on October 30 at its Lorient shipyard in France.
The delivery took place in the presence of Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin.
Nearchos follows HS Kimon, delivered in December 2025, as Greece advances its FDI frigate program. The new ship arrives with additional weapons under the Standard 2 configuration, strengthening its ability to defend against aerial threats.
Additional weapons strengthen air defenses
Nearchos differs from the lead ship in the combat capabilities included in its delivery configuration.
Its Standard 2 equipment includes two additional A50 SYLVER vertical launch system modules, four SYLENA Mk1 decoy launchers, and a 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile system for close-in defense.
These additions form the main weapons upgrade over the initial Standard 1 configuration. The distinction also concerns how the equipment is integrated with the ship’s combat management system.
Kimon has been fitted with additional weapons, but Naval News reports that full installation and integration with its SETIS combat management system, bringing it to Standard 2, will be completed by October 2027.
Thefrigatesalso feature the SEAFIRE multifunction radar, SENTINEL electronic support system, and PASEO XLR electro-optical fire-control equipment.
Further upgrades planned for the fleet
The delivery configuration is one stage in a broader development plan for the Kimon-class frigates. Naval News reports that Nearchos is scheduled to reach Standard 2++ in April 2029.
More from Military
See AllMilitaryAging warships to get Western eyes to improve naval gun targeting with modern techMilitaryKongsberg lands contract boost to expand underwater drone capabilitiesMilitary12 missiles atop Chinese Humvee-like vehicle hint at major air defense upgradeMilitaryUS Army greenlights sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to improve Ukraine’s combat systemMilitaryUK plans 3 advanced undersea sensor systems to detect threats for AUKUS submarine fleetsSubsequent upgrades include changes to the SETIS combat management system, sensors, electronic equipment, and asymmetric warfare center. Plans also cover full integration of the S-100 CAMCOPTER unmanned aircraft and enhanced weapons capabilities.
A potential later configuration could replace one forward A50 launcher module with an A70 module capable of accommodating naval cruise missiles. That remains a possible future development rather than equipment included in the current delivery.
Industrial partnership supports long-term operations
Beyond the handover, Naval Group’s announcement outlines the industrial arrangements supporting Greece’s frigate program, which began in 2022.
More than 75 Greek companies participate across the company’sFDI frigateand submarine programs.
Their work includes electronic maps, pre-armed ship blocks, and complex mechanical and electronic systems. That figure covers both programs, rather than the frigates alone.
The Hellenic Navy has also awarded Naval Group the initial in-service support contract for its FDI vessels. Maintenance and upgrades will involve the company, its Greek subsidiary Naval Group Hellas, and local industrial partners.
“Only ten months after the delivery of HS Kimon, it is an honor to deliver the second FDI frigate,” Naval Group Chairman and CEO Pierre Éric Pommellet said.
Naval Groupsaid the third frigate, HS Formion, is planned for delivery by the end of 2026. Under that schedule, Greece would receive three FDI frigates within roughly a year of Kimon’s handover.
The support partnership provides the arrangements for maintaining and upgrading the ships throughout their service.
Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.
By subscribing, you agree to our
Terms of Useand
PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.
0
COMMENT
Subscribe to
Today!
Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.
Explore Now!By
Atharva GosaviAtharva is a full-time content writer with a post-graduate degree in media & amp; entertainment and a graduate degree in electronics & telecommunications. He has written in the sports and technology domains respectively. In his leisure time, Atharva loves learning about digital marketing and watching soccer matches. His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.
- 1China showcases world's first catapult-capable drone carrier; stealth UAV completes takeoff, landing
- 2US Navy eyes Super Intelligence to balance its massive 10,100-ton SSN(X) submarine
- 3New polymer electrolyte helps sodium batteries retain 90% capacity after 1,000 cycles
- 4China could launch its first aircraft carrier with nuclear-powered system after 80,000-ton vessel
- 5'Starlight feeds my core': Google satellite chip pens first-ever space data center poem
