The Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias attended today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the ceremony at sea welcoming the first FDI HN Frigate F -601 “KIMON”, in the Saronic Gulf, in the presence of H.E. the President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Also present were the Deputy Minister of National Defense Athanasios Davakis , the Vice President of the Parliament Vasilios Viliardos , the former Minister of National Defense and Member of Parliament Nikos Panagiotopoulos , the former Minister of National Defense, Member of Parliament, Honorary Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff and Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, MPs Stavros Michaelides , Nina Kasimati , Andreas Voryllas , the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis , the Chief of the Hellenic General Staff Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis , the Chief of the Hellenic Navy Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras , the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force Lieutenant Admiral (I) Demosthenes Grigoriadis , the Secretary General of National Security Thanos Dokos, the Ambassador of France to Greece Laurence Auer, the Commander of the Fleet Vice Admiral Christos Sassiakos , the Commander-in-Chief of the Hellenic Navy and Rear Admiral Panagiotis Laskarides.
Mr. Dendias stated from the Frigate “KIMON”:
“A great day for the Navy. A great day for the Armed Forces. A great day for our Homeland.”
The Frigate “KIMON” is sailing in the waters of Greece, in the waters of the Aegean Sea.
And I would like to say, without any element of exaggeration, that this Frigate, in the “Standard 2 ++” version, is the most powerful frigate on the planet.
It is a weapon that will strengthen the Armed Forces of our Homeland in their basic mission, which is to deter any aggression, to ensure the great good of the security of Greek society, of Greek citizens, of our Homeland. To ensure our sovereignty and sovereign rights, this is its mission.
But I would like to say something more. Today we are witnessing the transition to a new era.
The Armed Forces of our Homeland, with the “Agenda 2030”, are transforming from a set of weapons systems into a machine of knowledge, information processing, comprehensive response to risks, and holistic response to challenges.
We create the ability to process data in a modern way and respond to any challenge through platforms such as “KIMONAS”, integrated into a whole, with a holistic approach.
Greece, the Greek citizens, every Greek woman and man, can feel more secure. With their own shortcomings, the Armed Forces of our Homeland are moving into the 21st century, with a rapid and steady pace.
“May the ship always be in good health. May Saint Nicholas be at its (SIC) bow, may it have good weather and fair winds. And, of course, may Saint Nicholas protect the crew and their families.”