The Greek flag was raised on the frigate "Kimon": How the first Greek Belharra is changing the conditions in the Aegean

As the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, stated, "General Kimon linked security with the heyday of Athenian democracy and "Kimon returns to the Mediterranean 2,500 years later to capture the power of Greece," emphasizing that "the integration of the four Belharras into the Navy creates the strongest Navy that Hellenism has ever had."

The naming and raising ceremony of the Greek flag on the Frigate KIMON was attended by the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias

After Lorient, the frigate "Kimon" will sail to Brest, where it will receive its initial armament load. There, the first full coupling of the sensors, the combat system and the weapons systems will be completed in real conditions.

The ship will then set course for Greece and will sail to the Salamis Naval Station in early 2026. From that point on, the internal process of joining the Fleet will begin: certifications, tests on Greek networks, training in national procedures and gradual assumption of roles.

The ceremony concluded with the raising of the Greek flag at the stern and the hoisting of the ensign, the international insignia to indicate that the ship has a captain, while after the name of the frigate was announced, the boarding of the 128 officers and crew members followed.

The 6 “weapons” that the frigate “Kimon” gives to the Armed Forces

The inclusion of the frigate “KIMON” in the Navy fleet does not simply increase the number of available units. It changes the way in which Greece controls, monitors and defends the maritime space of the Aegean. More specifically:

1. From local defense to area air defense
Until today, Greek frigates have mainly protected themselves and neighboring units. “KIMON” introduces for the first time on a Greek ship the area air defense capability. With Aster 30 missiles and the Sea Fire radar, the frigate covers a large sea and air space, creating an “umbrella” of protection over groups of ships, islands or critical sea zones. In practice, this means that the Navy does not simply react to threats, but actively shapes the operational space.

2. Sees further – earlier
The Sea Fire radar does not operate in isolation. It is combined with data from aircraft, UAVs, other surface units and surveillance systems. “KIMON” does not “see” only what is on its horizon; it sees what the overall network reveals. This gives the Navy reaction time, the most critical factor in an environment like the Aegean, where distances are short and developments are rapid.

3. It faces saturation and multiple threats
The Aegean is characterized by dense geography, a large number of islands and limited maneuvers. In such an environment, saturation attacks pose a serious threat. "KIMON" is designed to manage multiple simultaneous threats from air, surface and submarines. The combination of sensors, combat system and weapons allows the ship to prioritize targets and react without delay, which changes the balance in a possible high-intensity incident.

4. It controls the underwater field
The Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean are not only air and surface space. It is also an underwater field of competition. With the CAPTAS-4 towed sonar, “KIMON” gains the ability to detect submarines at long distances, decisively enhancing the anti-submarine image of the Fleet. This acts as a deterrent and forces the adversary to operate with greater risk and limitations.

5. It functions as a force multiplier
The real power of “KIMON” lies not only in its armament, but in its role as a command and sensor hub. The ship does not fight alone; it coordinates, guides and reinforces other units. In Aegean terms, this means that a group of ships led by an FDI does not operate defensively, but imposes pace, limits options and increases the cost of any challenge.

6. It changes the doctrine, not just the means
"KIMON" embodies a different doctrine: fewer but more capable ships, high connectivity, emphasis on information and cooperation. This doctrine fits the geography of the Aegean and the modern form of naval operations. For the Navy, the frigate "KIMON" is not just a new unit. It is the tool for transition from the era of attrition management to the era of active deterrence.