On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the name-giving – Greek flag-raising and commissioning ceremony of the newly built Frigate FDI “KIMON” into the Hellenic Navy took place at the facilities of Naval Group in Lorient, France, in the presence of the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Athanasios Davakis, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, and the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN.
The French Minister of Defence, Catherine Vautrin, Member of Parliament and former Minister of National Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos, Members of Parliament Dionysis Chatzidakis and Stathis Konstantinidis, the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defence, Antonios Oikonomou, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (Pilot) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, the Secretary General for National Security, Thanos Ntokos, Honorary Chiefs of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, the Civil Administrator of Mount Athos, former Minister of National Defence and Honorary Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, retired General Alkiviadis Stefanis, members of the Supreme Naval Council, benefactors of the Armed Forces, the Ambassador of Greece in France, Antonios Alexandridis, the Ambassador of the French Republic in Greece, Laurence Auer, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of “Naval Group”, Pierre Éric Pommellet, representatives of foreign diplomatic and military delegations, representatives of Greek defence industries, as well as other invited guests also attended the ceremony.
The blessing ceremony was officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan of France, Mr Dimitrios.
The ship’s sponsor was the President of the “Aikaterini Laskaridis” Foundation, Rear Admiral (ret.) Mr Panos Laskaridis.
In his address, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff stated:
“With great joy, deep pride and singular honour, I am here today in Lorient, at the impressive Shipyards of Naval Group, for the historic ceremony oName-giving – Greek flag-raising of the first FDI Frigate of the Hellenic Navy, the Frigate “KIMON”.
The FDI frigates, distinguished by their advanced technological sophistication and unrivalled operational performance, embody the cutting edge of modern naval warfare. As a premier achievement of contemporary naval engineering, they represent the next generation of naval power.
The FDI frigates will decisively enhance the operational capabilities of the Hellenic Navy, ensuring our ability to respond to the challenges of an increasingly complex maritime security environment. However, they are far more than mere warships. They are strategic units that will enable us to project credible naval power and support national state diplomacy, in harmony with friends and allies.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Contemporary developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, in our own neighbourhood—beset by a broad spectrum of conventional and hybrid challenges—highlight in the most emphatic manner the necessity of such a projection of naval power. In this context, Hellenic Navy looks forward with great anticipation to the successful and timely completion of the significant FDI Frigate Programme, while also noting the recent positive development regarding the acquisition of a fourth frigate.
This distinguished class of Frigates constitutes a seal of the enduring friendship between Greece and France, a strategic partnership founded on shared values and mutual respect, as well as an unwavering alliance that has been forged through shared challenges and opportunities in the Mediterranean and beyond.
Esteemed guests,
We bestow upon the frigate the name of General KIMON, who shaped a coherent model for the use of naval power as a means of deterrence, enforcement and strategic influence, laying the foundations of Athenian maritime dominance in the 5th century BC. In this way, we reaffirm our commitment to naval excellence, honouring a legacy of bravery, ingenuity and strategic foresight that has defined Greek naval history and seamanship for millennia.
With a sense of gratitude, it is our duty to render due recognition to the selfless contribution to the Hellenic Navy of the sponsor of the Frigate KIMON, Admiral Laskaridis. His tangible generosity, born of patriotic conviction, stands as a shining example of responsibility towards the Fatherland. I am confident that history will record his contribution in indelible letters in the pages of our collective national memory, granting him the place he rightfully deserves among the great benefactors of the Nation. In his capacity as sponsor, the name of Admiral Laskaridis will remain inseparably linked with the Frigate KIMON and will accompany her as a moral legacy on every voyage and every mission.
Crew of the Frigate KIMON,
The prosperity of the Hellenic Navy and Greece has always been associated with the inverted bow of a ship. From the prow of the Athenian Trireme, to the legendary Battleship “GEORGIOS AVEROF”, and to the present day and the imposing bow of the Frigate KIMON, which you will soon board. I urge you to begin your ‘voyage’ with unwavering momentum, determination and high morale, so that you may soon gaze upon the Greek seas with the eyes of a victor and owner, worthy successors of a glorious naval tradition. Recently, you sent out in every direction a resounding message: ‘We are coming.’ Today, therefore, we reply: ‘We are waiting for you, united and proud.’
Dear friends,
Shortly, the Frigate KIMON will proudly raise the Greek Flag and will set her ‘course’, soon to be accompanied by the frigates “NEARCHOS”, “FORMION” and “THEMISTOKLES”. We are confident that she will sail demonstrating the strength of our collective resolve and promoting the legacy of her name, with the assurance of stability and security as her ‘compass’ and a future of progress and national prosperity as her ‘destination.’
Thank you.”
Commander G. Laiakis HN
Spokesperson for the General Staff
