“HS Kimon: Charting a Bold Future for Greece’s Maritime Power”
The first FDI frigate for the Hellenic Navy, HS Kimon, commenced her preliminary sea evaluations on May 21st in Lorient. The vessel utilized the knowledge obtained during the sea trials of Amiral Ronarc’h, the initial vessel of its class for the French Navy.
Designed for deployment by the Hellenic Navy, the FDI HS Kimon has officially begun her sea evaluations from the Naval Group facility in Lorient, Brittany. Representatives from the Hellenic Navy will meticulously supervise these trials.
Thanks to the insights gained during the Amiral Ronarc’h sea evaluations, the assessments for HS Kimon will be executed with greater efficiency. The initial offshore period will predominantly emphasize testing platform systems, including propulsion and navigation functionalities. The following offshore phase, slated for a few weeks later, will focus on Combat systems and operational endurance at sea.
The year 2025 represents a significant milestone for the FDI programme, characterized by sea evaluations and the upcoming transfer of the first frigate for the Hellenic Navy, alongside the imminent launch of the third vessel, HS Formion. By 2026, the Hellenic Navy will operate three advanced, multi-role FDI frigates.
A versatile warfare frigate equipped to tackle current and future challenges
Engineered for elite navies striving to safeguard their sovereignty, the FDI is a combat-ready vessel capable of confronting both current and prospective threats. This adaptable and formidable high-seas ship will empower the Hellenic Navy to sustain its maritime supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, due to her outstanding capabilities across all domains of naval combat: anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and special forces deployment, featuring specialized competencies against asymmetric threats. She is also equipped with the latest innovations from Thales in radar, sonar, and electronic warfare technologies.
Crafted and manufactured with state-of-the-art digital tools, these frigates represent the first instances to employ an on-board digital architecture that facilitates continuous adaptation to technological and operational evolution, ensuring they are prepared for the demands posed by emerging threats. Her framework and digital structure ensure growth potential, allowing for modifications to counter future threats throughout her operational life with incremental updates rather than costly Mid Life Upgrades.
The FDI is inherently protected against cyber threats, employing a redundant IT framework supported by two data centers that virtually host a large portion of the vessel’s software. In terms of operational advancement, the FDI introduces a gateway specifically structured to counter asymmetric threats. This system will enhance coordination and management against small, nearby air and surface risks.
Thoroughly outfitted (MBDA Exocet MM40 B3c anti-surface and Aster anti-air missiles, RAM system, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, artillery), the FDI for the Hellenic Navy accommodates both a helicopter and a capability for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). She also benefits from the collaboration of Thales, MBDA, and all our distinguished partners and subcontractors.
Technical specifications:
- Displacement: 4,500 tons
- Length: approximately 122 meters
- Width: 18 meters
- Maximum speed: 27 knots
- Aviation capabilities: helicopter class of 10 tons, VTOL UAV
Main armaments:
- 32 Aster missiles developed by MBDA
- 8 Exocet MM40 B3c missiles developed by MBDA
- RAM missiles
- 76 mm cannon
- 4 torpedo tubes equipped with MU 90 torpedoes designed by Naval Group
- 2 decoy launchers with CANTO countermeasures created by Naval Group
