On June 4th, 2025, the launching ceremony of the third FDI frigate Hellenic Ship (HS) FORMION took place in the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient, France.
The ceremonial launching was held in the presence of Nikolaos Dendias, Minister of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic and General (Armament) Alexandre Lahousse, Deputy General Director of the National Armaments Directorate (DGA). General Dimitrios Choupis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defense, Vice Admiral Dimitrios E. Kataras, Chief of the Hellenic Navy, Amiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of Staff of the French Navy, and Major General Ioannis Bouras, General Director of GDDIA were also attending the ceremony.
The industrial launching was conducted on May 28th. All three FDI frigates for the Hellenic Navy are now afloat on the Scorff river, marking an important milestone in the program. The three Hellenic frigates are now at an advanced stage of production. HS KIMON is undergoing sea trials, and HS NEARCHOS has been transferred to the right bank for outfitting activities before harbor trials that will start after the summer. The three frigates will be delivered in 2025 and 2026.
This event underlines the success of the solid industrial cooperation between France and Greece, characterized by the construction of blocks of the FDI series by Salamis shipyard in Greece, and by the integration of around 70 Greek companies into Naval Group's supply chain. As such, HS FORMION and her sisterships incorporate several equipment “made in Greece”.
The FDI for the Hellenic Navy is a 4,500-tons warship. Multipurpose and resilient, she will enable the Hellenic Navy to ensure its maritime superiority in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea thanks to her high-level capabilities in all areas of naval combat: anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-ship, and special forces projection, with unique capabilities against asymmetric threats. She also benefits from the latest Thales innovations in radar (SeaFire), sonar, electronic warfare and communications systems.
Heavily armed (MBDA Exocet MM40 B3c anti-surface and Aster anti-air missiles, RAM missiles, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, artillery), HS FORMION can embark simultaneously a helicopter and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). She also benefits from the expertise of Thales, MBDA, and all our other partners and subcontractors.
Technical specifications:
- Displacement: 4,500 tons
- Length: approx. 122 meters
- Width: 18 meters
- Maximum speed: 27 knots
- Aviation facilities: 10-ton class helicopter, VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Main Armaments:
- 32 Aster missiles developed by MBDA
- 8 Exocet MM40 B3c missiles developed by MBDA
- RAM missiles
- 76 mm gun
- 4 torpedo tubes with MU 90 torpedoes developed by Naval Group
- 2 decoy launchers with CANTO countermeasures developed by Naval Group
As an international naval defence player, Naval Group is a partner for countries seeking to maintain control of their maritime sovereignty. Naval Group develops innovative solutions to meet its customers’ requirements. The group is present throughout the entire life cycle of vessels. It designs, produces, equips, integrates, supports and upgrades submarines and surface ships, as well as their systems and equipment, right up to the final phases of deconstruction and dismantling. Naval Group’s unique know-how in autonomous systems, underwater weapons and drones place it in pole position to become European leader in the sector.
As a high-tech company, it draws on its outstanding expertise, unique design and production resources and ability to establish strategic partnerships, in particular within the framework of transfers of technology. It also provides shipyard and naval base services. Ever mindful of the issues concerning corporate social responsibility (CSR), Naval Group is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact.
Located on five continents, Naval Group generates revenue of 4.355 billion euros and has 16,722 employees (Full-Time Equivalent average annual workforce - figures as on 31 December 2024).
