The frigate Kimon, the first of the Navy’s FDI-class ships, arrived at the Salamis Naval Base on Thursday, welcomed by Greece’s political and military leadership. Two more ships of the class, Nearchos and Formion, are scheduled for delivery in 2026, placing three vessels into service within a year; a fourth, Themistoklis, is expected in two to three years. The arrival was staged as a tableau of continuity, with Kimon (at left) sailing near the armored cruiser Averof, and the trireme Olympias. As the ship entered Greek waters, and off Aegina the president, prime minister and defense minister landed by helicopter for a ceremony broadcast live.

PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis hailed  a “very important step” in the continuous effort to modernize the Armed Forces. “It is the duty of every government… to leave a country safer than I found it, and today we took a step toward this direction,” he said. Beyond its weapons, the ship marks a qualitative shift for the Hellenic Navy through real-time, network-centric communications. Paired in coming years with other systems, including fifth-generation aircraft, the platform promises a shared operational picture across the armed forces. At Salamis, the crew reunited quietly with families. Months of exercises and testing will follow to smooth early flaws and guide the class’ integration. [Reuters]

Source: Ekathimerini.com