The Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias, described the launch of the FDI frigate HS Formion for the Hellenic Navy at the Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France, as “a great moment for the country, for the Armed Forces, for the Navy, and also for me personally.”

“We are standing here on the helipad of the 3rd FDI, the HS Formion, and a short while ago I had the opportunity to announce that we are nearing the completion of discussions and negotiations for the acquisition of a 4th FDI frigate, the HS Themistocles Mr. Dendias announced, adding, “what is very important is that this 4th frigate program fulfills another commitment—the participation of the Greek defense industry, the Greek ecosystem, with a 25% share in the program. It is the first major defense program in which the Greek defense industry will participate at a 25% level. Thus, we are moving from a phase where we were clients and consumers to a phase where we are co-producers of defense technology.”

“And I want to say to everyone that this is only the beginning. With the help of this new mindset embodied in the 2030 Agenda, with ELKAK, with the funds being leveraged, with ReArm Europe, our country will be able to enter a new era. One in which it will not only develop its Armed Forces, not only develop a robust ecosystem of defense innovation, but also leverage growth, wealth, and jobs for Greek society. And it will be able to help young Greek women and men with high qualifications who have gone abroad or stayed there due to the crisis of the previous decade, to return to our Homeland and contribute to this great endeavor,” Mr. Dendias concluded.