Naval Group has officially launched HS FORMION, the third of three FDI (Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention) frigates ordered by the Hellenic Navy, during a ceremony held on June 4, 2025, at its shipyard in Lorient, France.
The launch event was attended by senior defense officials from both Greece and France, including Greece’s Minister of National Defence Nikolaos Dendias and high-ranking military officers from both nations.
This launch signifies the completion of the float-out phase for all three Hellenic Navy FDI frigates. The first ship, HS KIMON, is undergoing sea trials, while HS NEARCHOS has moved to the outfitting stage. All three vessels are expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2026.
Strengthened Franco-Greek Defense Collaboration
The FDI program demonstrates deep defense and industrial cooperation between France and Greece. In addition to ship block construction at Salamis Shipyard in Greece, over 70 Greek companies have joined Naval Group’s supply chain. This collaboration has enabled a significant amount of Greek-made equipment to be installed on the frigates, creating local employment opportunities and reinforcing Greece’s defense industry.
Multirole Warship with Advanced Capabilities
HS FORMION is a 4,500-ton multirole frigate, designed for high-intensity naval operations. The vessel is optimized for a wide range of missions, including:
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Anti-air warfare
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Anti-submarine warfare
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Surface warfare
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Special forces support
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Protection against asymmetric threats
Outfitted with cutting-edge systems from Thales, MBDA, and Naval Group, the frigate incorporates a SeaFire radar, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and integrated communication systems to ensure high interoperability and situational awareness.
Key Armament and Aviation Features
HS FORMION features a comprehensive suite of weapon systems:
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32 Aster surface-to-air missiles (MBDA)
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RAM close-in weapon system
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76 mm main naval gun
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4 MU90 torpedo launchers (Naval Group)
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2 CANTO decoy launchers for anti-torpedo defense
In addition, the frigate can support a 10-ton class helicopter and a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV, enhancing its surveillance and strike capabilities.
Technical Specifications
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Displacement: 4,500 tons
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Length: approx. 122 meters
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Beam: 18 meters
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Max speed: 27 knots
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Aviation facilities: 10-ton helicopter and VTOL UAV support
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Propulsion and navigation: Integrated with open architecture for future upgrades
Umair Aslam is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Defense Insight. He has worked as a defense journalist reporting on military modernization programs, defense industry, arms procurement, and emerging technologies.
