Greece Welcomed the Frigate ‘Kimon’ – Impressive Images

Greece officially welcomed the first Belharra frigate, commanded by Rear Admiral Ioannis Kizanis, on Thursday morning (January 14).

The grand ceremony for the reception of the frigate ‘Kimon’ was attended by the President of the Republic, Kostas Tassoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias.

“The officials watched the passage of the frigate off the coast of Aegina, with the final journey towards the Salamis naval base, between pairs of lined-up ships. The frigate was welcomed by two of the frigates already owned by the Hellenic Navy, two fast attack missile boats, two gunboats, and two special forces speedboats (S.A.P.).

The ‘Kimon’ sailed through a formation of eight surface units, while it ‘met’ the armored cruiser ‘Averof’ and the trireme ‘Olympias’, in order to showcase the naval heritage of the Greeks throughout the centuries.

The Prime Minister and other officials spoke with the crew, were guided around the ship, and had the opportunity to see, among other things, the operations center.

Then, as the frigate ‘Kimon’ approached the Faliro Bay, it passed near the armored cruiser ‘Averof’ and the trireme ‘Olympias’, in a move with clear symbolism linking the present with the history of the Hellenic Navy.

It is noted that the frigate is expected to arrive at its base, the Salamis naval base, at noon.

This marks the first addition of a new frigate to the Greek fleet in 28 years. The frigates ‘Nearchos’ and ‘Formion’ will follow.

‘It is the duty of every government, every political leadership, and of mine as Prime Minister to leave a country safer than I found it, and today we took a step towards this direction,’ said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis from the deck of the frigate ‘Kimon.’

‘We all felt pride, joy, and a sense of upliftment from the arrival of Kimon,’ said the Prime Minister, referring to ‘another link in the continuous effort to modernize the armed forces.’

On his part, the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, stated that this is ‘a great day for the Hellenic Navy today and for the Armed Forces, a great day also for our homeland. The frigate Kimon is sailing in the waters of Greece, in the waters of the Aegean. I would like to say, without any exaggeration, that this frigate is the most powerful on the planet. It is a weapon that will enhance the Armed Forces in their main mission, which is to deter any aggression, ensuring every aspect of security for Greek society, Greek citizens, and our homeland,’ he added.

‘We are creating the capability for modern data processing and response to any challenge. Through platforms like Kimon integrated into a system with a holistic approach. Greece, every Greek, can feel more secure. With their own sacrifices, the Armed Forces are moving into the 21st century with a swift and steady pace.’

Finally, the President of the Republic (P.R.) stated: ‘Greece is strengthening. Today, Greece is decisively strengthened, both morally and practically, thanks to the arrival of the groundbreaking ship “Kimon,” a 6th-generation vessel that will enhance the Hellenic Navy and our country’s deterrent force.’

‘The new deterrence doctrine of the Hellenic Navy is being implemented, the new doctrine of protecting Greece’s sovereignty and peace in the Southeastern Mediterranean,’ continued Mr. Tassoulas. ‘Today, Greece had the fortune to witness all the generations of ships that protected its sovereignty and contributed to its greatness. Kimon sailed between the Athenian trireme and the armored cruiser Averof, the armored cruiser that doubled Greece’s size.’

‘Kimon, full of promises for the present and the future, is integrated into the Hellenic Navy and awaits the other three frigates from France to further strengthen our country’s defense capability. Its technological and strategic capabilities are beyond imagination, as well as its moral strength, which will be added to the strong and high spirits of the men and women of the Hellenic Navy from today,’ Mr. Tassoulas concluded.

See snapshots from the reception of the frigate ‘Kimon

The Capabilities of the Belharra Frigates

It should be noted that this is the first new frigate to be integrated into the Greek fleet in 28 years.

By the end of the year, the frigates ‘Nearchos’ and ‘Formion’ are expected to follow, while by 2028, the current FDI HN construction program will be completed with the integration of the fourth frigate, ‘Themistocles,’ in which domestic participation will be 25%.

The new ‘Belharra’ frigates, with their Standard 2++ configuration, following the modification of the Contract by the Hellenic Parliament and their extensive operational upgrades, will be among the most advanced frigates on the planet.

They provide the Hellenic Navy for the first time with a strategic role (with the ability to carry missiles with a range of over 1,000 kilometers), significantly enhancing the national deterrent power. Compared to the original Standard 2 type, they incorporate 11 improvements, resulting from experiences in modern conflicts and Operation ‘SHIELDS’ in the Red Sea.

As Mr. Dendias mentioned during the discussion of the modification of the Contract in the Hellenic Parliament, ‘Greek ships must have, under the current conditions, specific weapon systems.’

The government describes the reception of ‘Kimon’ as another significant step in transitioning the Greek Armed Forces into the new era, combined with the New Force Structure, the acquisition of 4.5th and 5th generation fighter aircraft, the ‘Achilles Shield’ holistic protection dome, the emphasis on Innovation and Unmanned Systems, and other major changes.

The integration of new ships with upgraded capabilities into the Hellenic Navy is fully part of the ‘Agenda 2030’ Reform, aiming for Greece to possess the strongest Armed Forces in its history by the end of this decade, conclude the same sources.