Kimon is completing fitting out at Lorient. (Richard Scott/NAVYPIX)
French shipbuilder Naval Group is continuing to progress the construction and fitting out of three FDI HN (Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention Hellenic Navy) multimission frigates for Greece at its Lorient shipyard facility in northwest France.
Lead ship Kimon was at an advanced stage of outfit and setting to work alongside on the Scorff river during a 4 October media visit attended by Janes . Second-of-class Nearchos received its Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM) on 23 October following float-out in September, while the main modules of the third FDI HN ship, Formion , have been consolidated inside the Lorient assembly hall.
The FDI HN is an export derivation of the Amiral Ronarc'h-class FDI frigate, five of which are planned to enter service with the French Navy by 2030. First-of-class Amiral Ronarc'h completed a first set of sea trials in October 2024 and is expected to be delivered in mid-2025.
Equipment fit
The baseline armament fit for the French Navy includes a Leonardo 76/62 Super Rapid gun, MBDA Aster 15/30 anti-air missiles (two eight-cell Sylver A50 vertical launching systems [VLSs] fitted forward), eight MBDA MM40 Block 3C Exocet anti-ship missiles, two Nexter Narwhal 20 mm remote weapon stations (RWSs), and Eurotorp MU90 lightweight torpedoes. Aviation facilities are designed around the operation and support of an NH90 Caïman helicopter and the Airbus VSR700 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
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