The Greek flag was raised aboard the Hellenic Navy’s second FDI Belharra frigate, Nearchos, at the Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France, in a ceremony attended by Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and senior military officials.

The ceremony marks the frigate’s formal entry into the Hellenic Navy, following the commissioning of the first vessel of the class, Kimon. Nearchos is expected to arrive at Salamis Naval Base in early December.

Speaking in Lorient, Dendias emphasised the importance of Greek-French defence cooperation and the contribution of the frigate programme to Europe’s broader defence capabilities.

“Greece and France are called upon to build defence capabilities within our European family,” he said, following two days of discussions with his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin.

Dendias: The best ship in its class in the world

The Greek defence minister praised the frigate’s advanced capabilities, highlighting the Standard 2++ configuration sought by Athens as part of its naval modernisation programme.

“This is a platform with impressive capabilities which, in the Standard 2++ configuration we have pursued, will achieve our objective by 2030,” Dendias said.

“I would like to state clearly, and with full awareness of the weight of these words, that this is the best ship in its class on the planet.”

Dendias also welcomed Sweden’s selection of the same FDI platform, describing the decision as an important development for European defence cooperation.

Referring to his meeting with Vautrin, he said the two ministers had held extensive discussions on European defence, bilateral cooperation and the two countries’ shared role in strengthening Europe’s security architecture.

Greek industrial participation in the frigate programme

Dendias placed particular emphasis on the involvement of Greek industry in the construction of the Belharra frigates.

He noted that parts of the vessels are already being manufactured in Greece and that the country’s participation would increase following the order for a fourth frigate.

“A part of the frigate you see behind us has Greek hands and a Greek soul behind it,” he said.

“This programme provides new capabilities to our country’s Armed Forces.”

The minister also welcomed the presence of former French President François Hollande, describing him as a close friend of Greece and recalling their cooperation on the Greek-French defence agreement.

Dendias concluded by expressing his satisfaction with the programme’s progress.

“I am particularly pleased and look forward to welcoming her arrival at Piraeus, at Salamis Naval Base, in early December,” he said.

The flag-raising ceremony and the crew’s boarding

The ceremony at Naval Group’s Lorient shipyards includes the naming of the frigate, the raising of the Greek flag and the playing of the Greek national anthem.

One of its most symbolic moments is the formal boarding of the vessel by its crew.

Under the prescribed naval protocol, sailors and officers board the frigate in succession, beginning with the most junior crew member, while the commanding officer boards last.

The ceremony follows an extensive period of crew training and familiarisation with the ship’s advanced systems, conducted in cooperation with the French manufacturer.

From the bridge and combat information centre to the engine room and weapons control stations, each crew member has a designated role in operating the new warship.

Four Belharra frigates for the Hellenic Navy

Nearchos is the second of four FDI Belharra frigates destined for the Hellenic Navy.

The first, Kimon, has already entered service, while the third frigate, Formion, is scheduled to follow later this year. The fourth vessel, Themistocles, will complete the programme.

The new frigates represent a major upgrade to Greece’s naval capabilities, incorporating advanced radar, air defence, anti-submarine warfare and combat management systems.

The programme also forms a central component of the strategic defence partnership between Greece and France.

During his visit, Dendias held talks with Vautrin on bilateral defence cooperation, defence industry partnerships and regional and European security developments.

The discussions focused on implementing existing agreements, expanding industrial cooperation and coordinating responses to emerging security challenges.