On 15 April 2024, the first block of the third Greek frigate FDI HN "FORMIONS" was laid down at the Naval Group's shipyard in Lorient, marking a symbolic milestone in the FDI HN programme for the Navy, as it marks the start of the assembly process of the third ship.
The installation of the Formbia troop carrier is a major new achievement that demonstrates the strong and long-standing industrial cooperation between Greece and France. Proof and confirmation of this is the fact that, Salamis Shipyards (SALAMIS SHIPYARDS) have already delivered last February several pre-fitted blocks for the ship, which were manufactured in Greece at their facilities in Salamis, through an integrated technology transfer offered by Naval Group. These blocks are now in the assembly process in Lorient along with the other blocks of the Formica.
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Πνίγεται η Ελλάδα από την Αφρικανική σκόνη! Απόκοσμες εικόνες σε Αθήνα, Καλαμάτα, Κρήτη
The FDI HN programme is in full swing. The FDI "KIMON" was launched in October 2023, while her PSIM was installed in November of the same year. The ship's on-board trials started in early March, with the activation of the ship's power distribution system. Her CMS has been activated on board since the end of March, with the latest version featuring many special capabilities selected by the Navy. The first 2 Aster 30 vertical launch systems (A50 - Sylver®), were installed in early April. Important milestone events for the development of the programme will take place in the second half of 2024, such as the start of sea trials for "KIMON" and the launch of the FDI HN 2 "NEARCHOS".
The PSIM of "NEARCHOS" has already been transferred to the shore-based test area for a 5-month trial period, during which the commissioning of several PSIM systems will take place. The PSIM will then be installed on "NEARCHOS" a few days after the launch of the frigate.
The PSIM of "FORMIONS" is already in the preparation phase. The wiring and pre-equipping of the section will start soon. The last hull block is under construction at the Salamis Shipyards and will be delivered in July.
The three frigates will be delivered in 2025 and 2026.
FDI, the first digital frigate
The FDI HS frigate is a 4,500-ton offshore warship. A multi-mission and highly resilient ship, it has high-level capabilities in all areas of naval combat: anti-ship, anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and special forces projection, with unique capabilities against asymmetric threats. It benefits from Thales' latest technological innovations in radar, sonar and electronic warfare.
Extremely powerfully armed (MBDA Exocet MM40 B3C anti-surface missiles, and Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, RAM missiles, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, guns), the FDI HN frigate even has the capability and capacity to simultaneously embark a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
And it incorporates all the expertise of all Naval Group partners and subcontractors.
Technical specifications:
. Displacement: 4,500 tonnes
. Length: approx. 122 meters.
. Width: 18 meters.
. Maximum speed: 27 knots.
. Facilities for aerial means: 10-ton class helicopter, VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
Main armaments:
32 Aster missiles developed by MBDA
. 8 Exocet MM40 B3C Exocet missiles developed by MBDA
. RAM rockets
. MU 90 torpedoes developed by Naval Group
. 76 mm cannon
. 4 torpedo tubes
. CANTO countermeasures developed by Naval Group
