The Hellenic Navy plans to anchor the frigate Kimon in Thessaloniki’s Thermaic Gulf from 26 to 28 October, letting northern Greeks visit a newly built frigate for the first time in over 30 years.
The visit is set to headline this year’s triple celebration in the city. Specifically, it marks the feast of Saint Demetrios, the anniversary of Thessaloniki’s liberation and the 28 October national holiday.
Kimon (F-601), the first FDI HN frigate of the Hellenic Navy, has never before anchored in the Thermaic Gulf. Plans could still change, since the visit is at the planning stage.
Why the frigate Kimon visit stands out
The navy last took delivery of brand-new frigates in the early to mid-1990s. At that time, four MEKO 200HN ships of the Hydra class joined the fleet.
Delivery of the first, Hydra, came in 1992. A year later, the public watched her sail into Greece.
Under current plans, visitors will be able to tour the frigate Kimon during the celebrations. The ship carries advanced technology for digital combat, area air defence and anti-submarine warfare.
Designed for multiple roles, the FDI HN (Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention – Hellenic Navy) builds on the French original. Compared with the first FDI delivered to the French Navy, the Greek version adds several improvements and extra systems.
It displaces about 4,500 tonnes, measures 122 metres and carries a crew of 125 to 130. Its top speed exceeds 27 knots, with a range of 5,000 nautical miles.
Radar, sonar and missiles
At the heart of the ship sits the Sea Fire 500, a fully digital AESA radar with a detection range of up to 500 kilometres. It works with the SETIS combat management system.
As a result, the frigate Kimon can track more than 800 targets at once, from small drones to supersonic and ballistic missiles.
For anti-submarine warfare, the ship pairs a CAPTAS-4 towed sonar with a Kingklip Mk2 hull sonar. It also operates an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which can fire Hellfire missiles and APKWS laser-guided rockets.
The frigate Kimon’s weapons include 32 Aster 30 missiles, a RAM close-in system with 21 missiles, eight Exocet MM40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles and two twin launchers for MU90 torpedoes.
In addition, an Oto Melara 76/62mm Super Rapid main gun and remote-controlled LIONFISH 20mm guns complete the fit.
Kimon reached Greece in January, when Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called her arrival a historic milestone. French shipbuilder Naval Group builds the class.
Since then, Greece has set a flag-raising date for the third ship, Formion.
Source: AMNA
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