On February 5, 2024, blocks of the third Greek ship (HS) Formion FDI HN 3, manufactured at Salamis Shipyards, were transported from Greece to Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient, where they will be assembled as part of the next steps of the frigate’s construction.

Yesterday’s ceremony was held in the presence of the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic, the French ambassador to Greece, the Fleet Chief, and other senior officers of the Hellenic Navy.

[#Navgreek]⚓🇬🇷 On February 5th 2024, 5 blocks of the 3rd FDI-HN intended for the @NavyGR , Formion, left Greece for our shipyard in Lorient. These blocks were manufactured at Salamis Shipyards and will be assembled as part of the next steps of the frigate's construction. pic.twitter.com/lFDnPx5I7r

— Naval Group (@navalgroup) February 5, 2024

The shipment of pre-outfitted blocks of frigate HS Formion is an important industrial and symbolic milestone in the FDI program. Manufactured at the Salamis Shipyards in Salamina, they are now being transferred to the Naval Group Shipyard in Lorient for the next steps in the frigates’ production.

This milestone underlines the success of the strong and long-term partnership between Naval Group and the Greek Defence industry, which daily demonstrates its high level of skill and ability to provide very high-quality equipment and services. As the relevant announcement states, Naval Group is proud to include Greek partners in its global supply chain.

Also read: Naval Group | Construction of the second FDI frigate for Greece kicks off

Contribution to the naval and industrial autonomy of Greece

As part of the FDI HN program, Naval Group has drawn up a solid cooperation plan aimed at developing new opportunities for the Greek industry, maintaining highly skilled jobs, and creating long-term economic benefits for Greece.

The Hellenic Industrial Participation (HIP) Plan was launched in March 2022 at the start of the FDI program, contributing to the construction and support of the FDI HN, but also to the creation of a strong naval industrial ecosystem in Greece beyond the framework of the FDI program.

Approved Greek companies are integrated into the supply chain of Naval Group and already have the possibility to participate in other programs and future international tenders, increasing their capabilities as well as their financial benefit and visibility in the global naval defence market.

As part of this partnership, Salamis Shipyards is responsible for the production activities of pre-outfitted hull blocks for both Greek and French FDI. Salamis Shipyards has remarkably achieved the required reinforcement through an articulate Industrial Capability Plan and demonstrated high skills in welding and piping, combined with evident management involvement.

It was the transfer of defence know-how from Naval Group, combined with the native Greek shipbuilding talent and decades-long shipbuilding expertise of Salamis Shipyards, that resulted in the high-quality construction of the frigate blocks delivered yesterday on February 5, 2024, according to the timetable.

Also read: DEFEA 2023 | Naval Group’s presence with FDI and Gowind – VIDEOS and Photos

An innovative, powerful, digital frigate

The FDI HN frigate is a 4,500 ton class warship. Multi-role and durable, it features high-level capabilities in all areas of naval warfare: anti-ship, anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and special forces operations projection, with unique capabilities against asymmetric threats.

It is equipped with Thales’ latest innovations in radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems. Heavily equipped (MBDA Exocet MM40 B3C anti-ship missiles and Aster anti-aircraft missiles, RAM system, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, naval gun), the FDI HN frigate has the ability to simultaneously carry a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It also benefits from the expertise of Thales, MBDA and all our other partners and subcontractors.

As part of the bilateral strategic agreement between France and Greece, the FDI embodies the ambition of both Navies to operate the same type of new-generation warships.

Also read: Naval Group Hellas | Naval Group’s subsidiary launched in Greece