The first of the three FDI HN “Belharra” frigates ordered for the Greek Navy was launched on Wednesday at the Naval Group’s site in Lorient, France.
The launching of frigate “KIMON” took place in the presence of Greek National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu, the chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Ioannis Drymoussis and a large number of high-ranking officials.
Frigate “Kimon” is 122m long and can reach a maximum speed 27 knots, while it is equipped with advanced digital technologies such as the Panoramic Sensor Intelligence Module, the advanced sonar system CAPTAS-4 and the fully digital radar Sea Fire.
Video: Belharra launching
The first frigate of the three in total is expected to be delivered to Greece after a year. The contract was signed between Greek PM Mitsotakis and French President Macron in 2021.
Each frigate costs one billion euros, MEGA TV reported, adding that it is the first ship for the Greek Navy after 25 years.
