Greek Navy commissions second FDI frigate Nearchos

On October 30, 2026, the Greek Navy officially commissioned its second FDI (Belharra) class frigate, named "Nearchos," at the Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France. The flag-raising ceremony was attended by Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias and the leadership of the Armed Forces. This vessel follows the first frigate, "Kimon," and represents a significant advancement in the modernization of the Greek fleet.

Minister Dendias emphasized the vessel's advanced technological capabilities, stating that once upgraded to the Standard 2++ level, it will be among the most capable ships in its class globally. He also highlighted the strengthening of Greek-French defense cooperation and noted that future construction of these frigates will increasingly involve domestic Greek industrial participation. The Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, noted that the ship serves as an epitome of modern naval warfare.

The frigate is scheduled to arrive at the Salamis Naval Base in Greece in early December to begin its integration into the fleet's operational planning. The procurement program continues with two more vessels currently in the pipeline: the third frigate, "Formion," expected later in 2026, and the fourth, "Themistoklis.