Keel laid for Hellenic Navy’s third FDI HN frigate

French shipbuilder the Naval Group has laid the keel of a new frigate ordered by the Hellenic Navy.

The future HS Formion will be the final ship in a series of three that are export variants of the defence and intervention frigates (Fregate de Defense et d’Intervention; FDI) being built by the Naval Group for the French Navy. Missions will include anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and special operations support.

The FDI HN frigates will each have a displacement of 4,500 tonnes, a length of approximately 122 metres, a beam of 18 metres, and a maximum speed of 27 knots. Armament will include surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and a 76mm naval gun.

Aviation facilities will also be available for use by a 10-tonne utility helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle.

The Naval Group will provide the vessel with anti-torpedo countermeasures while Thales will install the radar, the sonar, and the electronic warfare systems.

Delivery of the future Formion is scheduled for 2026.