Greek Shipyard Makes NATO Defense History as Hull Blocks It Built Feature in Launch of French Navy Frigate

08:13 21/5/2026 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

The French Navy has launched its second FDI-class frigate, the Amiral Louzeau, incorporating hull blocks built entirely at Greece's Salamis Shipyards — the first time a Greek facility has manufactured structural components for a foreign military vessel, marking a significant expansion of the Franco-Greek defense partnership.

Salamis Shipyards constructed the sections

as an official subcontractor for Naval Group, the French defense company leading the FDI program.

The delivery is the first test of Greece's revamped shipbuilding industry against the quality and security standards of a major European defense contract — and industry analysts say it passed.

The launch comes weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis toured the Kimon — the first of three FDI frigates ordered by the Hellenic Navy — at the Port of Piraeus. Mr. Macron described the vessel as a physical expression of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Mr. Mitsotakis has framed Greece's FDI purchase as both a defense modernization priority and a signal of Athens' deepening alignment with Paris within NATO's southern flank.

Salamis management said the successful integration of Greek-built hull sections into one of Europe's most advanced warships establishes a foundation for future international naval subcontracting work.

The shipyard, located adjacent to the Saronic Gulf facilities that were this week also linked to Athens' unexplained gas odor incident, has undergone significant modernization investment over the past three years.

By Vassilis Goulas

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr

The French Navy has launched its second FDI-class frigate, the Amiral Louzeau, incorporating hull blocks built entirely at Greece's Salamis Shipyards — the first time a Greek facility has manufactured structural components for a foreign military vessel, marking a significant expansion of the Franco-Greek defense partnership.

Salamis Shipyards constructed the sections as an official subcontractor for Naval Group, the French defense company leading the FDI program.

The delivery is the first test of Greece's revamped shipbuilding industry against the quality and security standards of a major European defense contract — and industry analysts say it passed.

The launch comes weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis toured the Kimon — the first of three FDI frigates ordered by the Hellenic Navy — at the Port of Piraeus. Mr. Macron described the vessel as a physical expression of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Mr. Mitsotakis has framed Greece's FDI purchase as both a defense modernization priority and a signal of Athens' deepening alignment with Paris within NATO's southern flank.

Salamis management said the successful integration of Greek-built hull sections into one of Europe's most advanced warships establishes a foundation for future international naval subcontracting work.

The shipyard, located adjacent to the Saronic Gulf facilities that were this week also linked to Athens' unexplained gas odor incident, has undergone significant modernization investment over the past three years.

By Vassilis Goulas

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr

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Greek Shipyard Makes NATO Defense History, Hull Blocks It Built Feature,Launch, French Navy Frigate