On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the naming ceremony of the frigate FDI HN – Belharra “Kimon”, the first Belharra type frigate to join the Navy corps, took place in Lorient, France, in the presence of the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias. The ship’s sponsor is the President of the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation and Rear Admiral (ret.) Panos Laskaridis, who, in the context of naming the frigate, handed over to the captain the “I sail with an unstoppable momentum and with the conviction of victory against the enemy of the nation” “Kountouriotis Canon”. This was followed by the raising of the Greek Flag, the embarkation of the crew members and the raising of the government official.
It is a versatile and durable offshore vessel, it will allow the Navy to ensure its naval superiority in the Eastern Mediterranean thanks to its high-level capabilities in all areas of naval combat: anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, anti-ship and demonstration of power with unique capabilities against asymmetric threats. It also benefits from Thales’ latest innovations in radar, sonar and electronic warfare.
In his address, the Minister of National Defence said:
… It is, ladies and gentlemen, a very important day today. I’m not telling you anything new, Greece is an island country, with sea communication routes. He lives, breathes through the sea, not as a figure of speech, but as reality. It has the largest merchant fleet on the planet. And that is why there is no Navy in Greece without strong capabilities. Without the ability – the ability to be, in a timely and reliable manner, where the interests of Hellenism are formed…
Rear Admiral (ret.) Panos Laskaridis said during his speech:
Today is a great day for me because the country honored me with the highest honor to become the contractor of the frigate “Kimon”. A great day for the Captain and the crew, a more important day for the Fleet, the Navy and the country. For us Greeks, the Fleet is very important and we have shown unfeigned respect and love for centuries because our Fleet has never abandoned and has written pages of flourishing glory. Today we receive and deliver “Kimon” with the certainty and conviction that he will undertake a service that is none other than duty. “Kimon” belongs to all Greeks because it was bought by the lack of the Greek people and is part of everyone’s personal property.
At the end, Mr. Laskaridis thanked all those who contributed to the completion of the project, while he also thanked the French people who have stood by our side many times.
This was followed by the inauguration ceremony of the Unit’s gymnasium, which is a donation of Rear Admiral (ret.) Panos Laskaridis.
The frigate “Kimon” is expected to start sailing to Brest, where it will receive weapons and then travel to Greece.
(Photos: Ministry of National Defence)
