New Delhi, Oct 21

the first block of the first FDI HN frigate (Defense and  Intervention Frigate) for the Hellenic Navy was laid down in dry dock at Naval  Group’s shipyard in Lorient in presence of Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis,  Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff. This important step marks the beginning  of the assembly of the ship in the building hall.  

On 24th March 2022, Greece chose to equip its naval forces with three defence and intervention  frigates, plus one optional, and their in-service support. The FDI HN, designed and produced by  Naval Group in Lorient, will quickly and sustainably enhance the capabilities of the Hellenic Navy's  surface fleet as they will be delivered in a very short timeframe, starting in 2025 for the first two  units and in 2026 for the third one.  

Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis declared: “I am very proud that, as the Chief of the Hellenic Navy  General Staff, I am attending the placement in the dry dock of the first FDI HN frigate’s first block. Our aspiration is that the FDI HN will become the spearhead of the Hellenic Fleet and will provide  us with new operational capabilities in the near future. As such, the FDI HN program signals our  countries will to stand together with solidarity against any threats and sets the foundations of the  European defence of tomorrow.”  

Olivier de la Bourdonnaye, Executive Vice President for Programs at Naval Group, said: “We are  proud to be here today to mark this major milestone in the industrial production of the first  defence and intervention frigate for the Hellenic Navy. These multi-role, cyber-secure and  scalable ships will ensure the superiority of information, engagement and sovereignty of the  Hellenic naval forces.”  

A major program for the Hellenic industry  

Thanks to a robust cooperation plan with the Hellenic industry (HIP, Hellenic Industry Participation  Plan), the FDI HN program offers numerous industrial opportunities for Greece, creating jobs and  added value in the country. Naval Group's teams have already established numerous partnerships  with Greek industrial players and signed various contracts with the Hellenic industry.  

Naval Group’s Hellenic Industrial Participation plan will thus contribute to the construction of the  FDI HN but also to the creation of a robust naval industrial ecosystem. The structured and long term partnership proposed by Naval Group will foster production in Greece but also the capability  to address future needs.  

In this regard, on the 18th of October 2022, several contracts and framework agreements were  signed between Naval Group and Greek companies during Euronaval, covering Platform and  Combat Systems activities.  

FDI HN, a powerful, innovative and cyber-secure multi-role combat frigate 

The FDI HN features high level capabilities in all warfare domains: anti-ship, anti-air, antisubmarine  and special forces projection. Its air and surface protection are ensured by the most modern  sensors, including the Thales Sea Fire, the first all-digital multifunction radar with an active  antenna and fixed panels.  

The FDI HN is equipped with a unique integrated mast that brings together all the airborne  sensors, enabling permanent 360° surveillance. As the first frigate on the market to be natively  protected against the cyber threat, the FDI HN is equipped with two data centers hosting almost  all of the ship's applications.  

Technical specifications of the FDI HN:  

 Displacement: 4,500 tons  

 Length: approx. 122 meters  

 Width: 18 meters  

 Maximum speed: 27 knots  

 Aviation facilities: 10-ton class helicopter, VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)  The main armaments of the FDI HN are:  

 32 Aster missiles developed by MBDA  

 8 Exocet MM40 B3C missiles developed by MBDA  

 RAM missiles  

 MU 90 torpedoes developed by Naval Group  

 76 mm gun  

 4 torpedo tubes  

 CANTO counter measures developed by Naval Group