US ally’s new warship with 21-cell missile defense system delivers increased battle superiority

Greece has received HS Nearchos, its second Defense and Intervention Frigate, adding a warship with expanded air defenses to the Hellenic Navy’s fleet. Naval Group handed over the vessel on October 30 at its Lorient shipyard in France. The delivery took place in the presence of Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin. Nearchos follows HS Kimon, delivered in December 2025, as Greece advances its FDI frigate program. The new ship arrives with additional weapons under the Standard 2 configuration, strengthening its ability to defend against aerial threats. Additional weapons strengthen air defenses Nearchos differs from the lead ship in the combat capabilities included in its delivery configuration. Its Standard 2 equipment includes two additional A50 SYLVER vertical launch system modules, four SYLENA Mk1 decoy launchers, and a 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile system for close-in defense. These additions form the main weapons upgrade over the initial Standard 1 configuration. The distinction also concerns how the equipment is integrated with the ship’s combat management system. Kimon has been fitted with additional weapons, but Naval News reports that full installation and integration with its SETIS combat management system, bringing it to Standard 2, will be completed by October 2027. The frigates also feature the SEAFIRE multifunction radar, SENTINEL electronic support system, and PASEO XLR electro-optical fire-control equipment. Further upgrades planned for the fleet The delivery configuration is one stage in a broader development plan for the Kimon-class frigates. Naval News reports that Nearchos is scheduled to reach Standard 2++ in April 2029. Subsequent upgrades include changes to the SETIS combat management system, sensors, electronic equipment, and asymmetric warfare center. Plans also cover full integration of the S-100 CAMCOPTER unmanned aircraft and enhanced weapons capabilities. A potential later configuration could replace one forward A50 launcher module with an A70 module capable of accommodating naval cruise missiles. That remains a possible future development rather than equipment included in the current delivery. Industrial partnership supports long-term operations Beyond the handover, Naval Group’s announcement outlines the industrial arrangements supporting Greece’s frigate program, which began in 2022. More than 75 Greek companies participate across the company’s FDI frigate and submarine programs. Their work includes electronic maps, pre-armed ship blocks, and complex mechanical and electronic systems. That figure covers both programs, rather than the frigates alone. The Hellenic Navy has also awarded Naval Group the initial in-service support contract for its FDI vessels. Maintenance and upgrades will involve the company, its Greek subsidiary Naval Group Hellas, and local industrial partners. “Only ten months after the delivery of HS Kimon, it is an honor to deliver the second FDI frigate,” Naval Group Chairman and CEO Pierre Éric Pommellet said. Naval Group said the third frigate, HS Formion, is planned for delivery by the end of 2026. Under that schedule, Greece would receive three FDI frigates within roughly a year of Kimon’s handover. The support partnership provides the arrangements for maintaining and upgrading the ships throughout their service. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Atharva is a full-time content writer with a post-graduate degree in media & amp; entertainment and a graduate degree in electronics & telecommunications. He has written in the sports and technology domains respectively. In his leisure time, Atharva loves learning about digital marketing and watching soccer matches. His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.