Commander Ioannis Kizanis commands the “Kimon.” An experienced naval officer from Athens, he graduated as the top of his class from the Naval Academy in 2000. Early in his career, Kizanis served on major surface vessels before becoming the commanding officer of fast patrol boats in the Hellenic Navy.

At the delivery ceremony on December 18th at the Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France, Kizanis boarded the frigate last, following naval tradition that the captain is the last to enter the ship.

The reception ceremony for the state-of-the-art frigate “Kimon” was attended by key figures, including the President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias. They toured the vessel and met with the crew on the bridge.

Six naval vessels welcomed the “Kimon,” including the historic battleship Averof and the trireme Olympias.

This marks the first addition of a new frigate to the Greek fleet in 28 years. By the end of 2026, two more frigates, “Nearchos” and “Formion,” are expected to join the fleet. The shipbuilding program will conclude in 2028 with the addition of the fourth frigate, “Themistocles.”