First Greek FDI frigate starts sea trials

The Hellenic Navy's first FDI frigate has started sea trials. (Naval Group)

The first Kimon-class Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention Hellenic Navy (FDI HN) multimission frigate on order for Greece has embarked on its maiden set of sea trials.

Announcing the milestone on 23 May, Naval Group said the future HS Kimon (F 601) was put to sea for the first time from its shipyard in Lorient, northwest France, on 21 May.

The initial sea trials, which will also be attended by HN representatives, will mainly focus on testing the platform systems, including propulsion and navigation systems. The second period at sea, set to take place in the coming weeks, will be dedicated to testing combat system performance and the ships' endurance at sea.

Laid down in October 2022 and launched in October 2023, Kimon is on track for delivery at the end of 2025.

Naval Group is building three FDI frigates for the HN under a contract signed in March 2022 that also includes in-service support and an option for a fourth frigate. The FDI HN is the export version of the five Amiral Ronarc'h-class frigates being built for the French Navy – and is Naval Group's first export order for the type.

The first two FDI HN frigates, Kimon and Nearchos (F 602), were originally planned for delivery to the French Navy but are being completed as FDI HN frigates to speed up delivery timelines for the Greek programme.

Under original planning, Nearchos was also due for handover in 2025, but due to delays impacting the completion of the French Navy's lead ship Amiral Ronarc'h – which had a knock-on effect to the schedule – Nearchos will now be delivered in mid-2026. The third unit, Formion