The first of the three defense and intervention frigates (IED) ordered by Greece from France was officially launched this Wednesday in Lorient in the presence of the Defense Ministers of both countries, eleven months after its installation. “This is an important step in defense and security cooperation between the Greek Republic and the French Republic,” celebrated the Greek Minister, Nikos Dendias.
The Kimon, a long gray hull of 122 meters with an inverted bow, followed by the Nearchos and the Formion, should constitute the spearhead of the Greek battle fleet. The frigate is due to be delivered in March 2025. At the moment, she is moored in a dock at the Lorient Naval Group shipyard, without a mast.
This 150-ton, 40-meter-high structure that brings together most of the sensors was built parallel to the hull and must now be integrated into the ship. This construction method allows the completion of the program to be accelerated: the contract was signed in March 2022, the first sheet metal was cut in July 2022. The three ships were to have been delivered in 2026.
24 Rafale aircraft
France and Greece have significantly strengthened their defense cooperation in recent years, marked by the sale of 24 Rafale fighter jets and three IEDs, plus one as an option. “We share the analysis of the risks that weigh on the Mediterranean, this is what has fundamentally united Athens and Paris,” observed the Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, during the ceremony, greeting a “unique partner.”
Weighing 4,500 tons, the FDI has a crew of 125 sailors and can accommodate 150 people. It will be able to transport a helicopter and an aerial drone, as well as commandos with their light boats. Highly digitalized, she is the first ship whose cyber protection is integrated from the program design, the industrialist maintains.
In addition to anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, it must be especially effective in anti-aircraft warfare with its plate radar: unlike the traditional rotating radar, it guarantees a constant 360° vision, further reducing the reaction to a vehicle flying at very high speed. high height. speed. The frigates destined for Greece will have the capacity to fire 32 Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, while those planned for France will only be able to fire 16.
Source: BFM TV
