France’s Naval Group has commenced sea trials of HS Kimon, the first Defence and Intervention (FDI) frigate for the Hellenic Navy, at its shipyard in Lorient.
The current phase of HS Kimon’s sea trials is primarily focused on assessing platform systems such as propulsion and navigation.
A second phase, scheduled in the coming weeks, will concentrate on the vessel’s combat systems and endurance at sea.
With a displacement of 4,500 tonnes, an approximate length of 122m, and a width of 18m, the vessel has a maximum speed of 27knots.
The HS Kimon also has facilities for a ten-tonne helicopter and vertical take-off and landing UAVs.
In this year, Naval Group plans to deliver HS Kimon to the Hellenic Navy and expects to launch the third frigate, HS Formion.
By 2026, the Hellenic Navy aims to have three FDI frigates in active service.
Designed to be capable in all domains of warfare, the FDI frigates are providing readiness against both conventional and asymmetric threats.
These multi-mission vessels are intended to bolster the Hellenic Navy’s operational capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean, with functions spanning anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare, as well as special forces deployment.
The vessels feature advanced radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems developed by Thales.
Built with a digital architecture that supports continuous adaptation to operational and technological developments, the frigates aim to avoid major mid-life upgrades through incremental improvements.
The vessel is equipped with a wide range of weaponry, including 32 MBDA-developed Aster anti-air missiles, eight MBDA’s Exocet MM40 B3c anti-surface missiles, RAM missiles, 76mm gun, two decoy launchers with CANTO countermeasures, and four torpedo tubes with MU 90 torpedoes.
Cybersecurity is also integrated into the design, with dual data centres hosting much of the ship’s software in a virtualised setup.
