Greece’s newest warship, the frigate Kimon, arrived at the port of Thessaloniki on Friday, October 23, ahead of public visits marking Ochi Day, the national anniversary commemorated on October 28.
The French-built Belharra-class frigate will welcome visitors from Saturday, October 24, until Tuesday, October 27, giving the public an opportunity to see one of the centrepieces of Greece’s ongoing naval modernisation programme.
Ochi Day commemorates Greece’s rejection of an Italian ultimatum on October 28, 1940, a defining moment that led to the country’s entry into the Second World War.
Visiting Hours for the Frigate Kimon
The frigate will be open to the public at the port of Thessaloniki during the following hours:
- Saturday, October 24: 10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday, October 25: 10 am to 5 pm
- Monday, October 26: Noon to 5 pm
- Tuesday, October 27: Noon to 5 pm
Dedicated visits for school groups are scheduled from 10 am to noon on Monday and Tuesday.
Access will be provided through the facilities of the Thessaloniki Port Authority.
Inside Greece’s New Belharra-Class Frigate
Measuring 121.6 metres in length and displacing approximately 4,600 tonnes, the Kimon is the first of four French-built Belharra-class frigates acquired by the Hellenic Navy.
The warship is equipped with advanced systems designed to strengthen Greece’s air defence, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine capabilities.
Its weapons include Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, Exocet anti-ship missiles and MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes.
The frigates form part of a wider effort to upgrade Greece’s naval capabilities amid evolving security challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea.
The original contract for the first three frigates was valued at approximately €3.05 billion, including weapons systems and technical support.
The arrival of the Kimon in Thessaloniki for the Ochi Day commemorations offers the public a closer look at a new generation of Greek naval power as the country prepares to mark one of the most significant dates in its modern history.
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