The Greek Belharra class frigate Kimon enters port: The world's most modern frigate - The ultimate gamechanger

The newly built Frigate “Kimon”, the most modern in the world, is located within Greek territorial waters and its reception is expected to take place at sea, in a ceremony that will “leave an era”, since the battleship “Averof”, the trireme “Olympias” and six other ships of the fleet will participate in it.

The ceremony will take place, according to information from Newsbomb, approximately at the height of Aegina. However, in addition to the reception by the fleet, helicopters will successively dock at the frigate “Kimon” which will transport the President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias.

The official welcoming ceremony will be completed at sea and then, "Kimon", with 128 crew members, will sail to the Salamis Naval Station.

Live footage of the entire ceremony will be broadcast only by ERT.

The naming ceremony and raising of the Greek flag on the frigate "Kimon" took place in Lorient, France, on December 18. After the integration of the weapons systems, the 128 crew members of the 1st French frigate FDI conducted tests in the bay and at sea and in early January 2026 began the journey to Greece and the Salamis Naval Station.

Cutting-edge technology and evaluation in Greece
Upon its arrival in Greece, the frigate "Kimon" will undergo a rigorous operational evaluation by the Fleet Headquarters. Particular emphasis will be placed on training officers in the advanced systems of the ship, which is characterized as a fully digital new generation platform. Which many describe as a Gamechanger for the entire Eastern Mediterranean region

The new “Belharra” frigates, with their configuration in Standard 2++, following the amendment of the Convention by the Greek Parliament and their extensive operational upgrades, will be among the most advanced frigates on the planet. They give the Navy a strategic role for the first time (with the ability to carry missiles with a range of over 1,000 kilometers), decisively strengthening the national deterrent power. Compared to the original Standard 2 type, they incorporate 11 improvements, a product of experience from modern conflicts and the “SHIELD” operation in the Red Sea.

The ship already has 32 launchers for Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, in the FDI HN configuration, while it will also carry the RAM system for close protection, a configuration that differentiates the Greek frigates from those of the French Navy.

As Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias stated during the discussion of the amendment of the Convention in the Greek Parliament, "Greek ships must have, in the conditions we find ourselves in today, specific weapon systems".
The receipt of "KIMONO" is not simply the acquisition of a modern ship. It is another major step for the transition of the Greek Armed Forces to the new era, in combination with the New Force Structure, the acquisition of 4th, 5th and 5th generation fighter aircraft, the "Achilles Shield" holistic protection dome, the emphasis on Innovation and Unmanned Systems and other major changes.

Technical specifications:

. Displacement: 4,500 tons

. Length: approximately 122 meters

. Width: 18 meters

. Maximum speed: 27 knots

. Aviation facilities: 10-ton class helicopter, VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

Main armament:

. 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 CANTO countermeasure launchers developed by Naval Group