The Hellenic Navy has received the second of four Defense and Intervention Frigates (FDI HN) built by Naval Group. The second frigate, Nearchos (F602), differs from the lead ship, Kimon, by featuring enhanced combat capabilities associated with the Standard 2 configuration.
Naval Group press release
On October 30, in Lorient, Naval Group delivered the second FDI frigate for the Hellenic Navy (FDI HN), HS Nearchos, in the presence of Nikos Dendias, Minister of National Defense of the Hellenic Republic, and Catherine Vautrin, Minister of the Armed Forces. After the first FDI HN, Kimon, delivered in December 2025 and the third one, HS Formion, planned for the end of 2026, within a year, three frigates will have been transferred to the Hellenic Navy, demonstrating Naval Group’s ability to quickly meet the needs of navies.
Only ten months after the delivery of HS Kimon, it is an honour to deliver the second FDI frigate for the Hellenic Navy, HS Nearchos, in the presence of Catherine Vautrin and Nikos Dendias, whom I would like to thank for their renewed trust. Thank you to all those who have contributed to the achievement of this crucial milestone, from Naval Group’s teams to our industrial and institutional partners in Greece and France, as well as the crew and the Hellenic Navy. HS Nearchos will undoubtedly demonstrate its exceptional capabilities just as the FDI HS Kimon did recently, thereby contributing to the Hellenic Navy’s operational superiority at sea.
Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group
A strategic naval programme, a long-term partnership
The delivery of HS Nearchos marks a major step in the FDI programme for Greece, initiated in 2022, and demonstrates the dynamic Franco-Hellenic cooperation that has been existing for many years. This cooperation is based on a strong network of local industries with more than 75 Greek companies involved in the FDI frigate and submarine programmes of Naval Group, from the supply of electronic maps produced in Greece to the realisation of pre-armed blocks, including the production of complex mechanical and electronic systems.
The Hellenic Navy has also entrusted Naval Group with the initial in-service support contract for its FDI frigates. Maintenance and upgrade operations will be carried out in close collaboration between Naval Group, its Greek subsidiary Naval Group Hellas and their Greek industrial partners, ensuring high-quality maintenance and optimal operational availability of these combat-ready ships.
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*The ship’s sponsor is the shipowner Athanasios Martinos.
Naval News Comments: From Standard 1 to Standard 2 Configuration
Frigate HS Nearchos is the first frigate in Standard 2 configuration and it will be the first frigate to be delivered in Standard 2++ configuration in April of 2029. The third FDI frigate, HS Formion will be the first FDI HN frigate to be delivered in the “Standard 2+” variant in April 2027.
The Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates are expected to evolve progressively from their initial Standard 1 configuration towards the more advanced Standard 2++ configuration. The Standard 1 configuration is based on the French Navy’s FDI design, with several modifications for the Hellenic Navy, including the addition of a Saab NLWS LWS/L-ESM, WiMAX/5G communications, integration of the S-100 CAMCOPTER UAS, a 76mm gun with Multi-Feed Device (MFD), and Leonardo LIONFISH 20 RWS instead of the NARWHAL systems, among other differences.
The Standard 2 configuration introduces additional weapon systems, including two A50 SYLVER VLS modules, four SYLENA Mk1 launchers forming the AAW DLS, and a 21-cell RAM CIWS. It is also worth noting that French FDI frigates are also set to receive additional firepower, with the installation of additional A50 SYLVER VLS modules and potentially the RAMPART multi-purpose launcher.
The subsequent Standard 2+/2++ upgrades involve major improvements to the SETIS CMS, the asymmetric warfare centre, sensors and electronic systems. These include the upgrade of PASEO XLR EOS-FCS and SENTINEL R-ESM systems, full integration of the S-100 CAMCOPTER UAS, and enhanced weapon-system capabilities, including RAM Block 2B/C SAM and special ammunition for the 76mm gun.
A further Standard 2+++ configuration remains a potential future development. This will involve the replacement of one of the forward A50 SYLVER VLS modules with an A70 SYLVER module, potentially the newer SYLVER NG, to accommodate Naval Cruise Missiles (NCM).
Other planned or potential additions include the CENTAUR C-UAS system and, potentially, a R-ECM system. The latter is expected to be ELT Group’s VIRGILIUS system, integrated with SENTINEL using Thales software. The same combination is also planned for the Horizon-class air-defence destroyers as part of their modernisation programme.
Three Navies, 13 FDI Frigates
A total of 13 FDI frigates are currently planned: five for France, four for Greece and four for Sweden. One frigate, Amiral Ronarc’h, has already been delivered to the French Navy, while Greece has received two, Kimon and Nearchos. Another five frigates, two for Greece, one for Sweden and two for France, are currently at different stages of construction simultaneously.
Following an extensive upgrade ahead of the FDI programme, Naval Group’s shipyard can now build an FDI frigate in just three to four years and deliver up to two frigates per year, highlighting the company’s increased production capacity and ability to meet delivery schedules.
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