Greece to Buy 4 Italian Frigates in €700M Deal
Greece is set to acquire four Italian FREMM frigates in a deal that marks one of the Hellenic Navy's most significant procurement moves in years. The agreement follows a 2+2 arrangement, meaning the four Carlo Bergamini-class vessels will be delivered in two separate phases, with the first two ships priced at roughly €700 million including some of their primary weapons systems.
Italy's navy has already committed the first two Bergamini-class frigates to Greece, and negotiations between the two governments have now reached an advanced stage. Greek lawmakers were scheduled to receive a full briefing on the talks on May 5, when parliament's committee on armament programs and contracts convened to review the latest details.
During the same session, the committee was expected to approve separate contracts for the modernization of four existing MEKO-class frigates at the Skaramangas shipyards. Those upgrades cover combat systems and structural maintenance work, signaling a broader push to overhaul the Hellenic Navy's surface fleet.
The FREMM purchase package includes maintenance support, spare parts, and crew training, with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri expected to be involved in the program. Athens is also planning to acquire CAPTAS-4 towed sonar systems to bring the frigates up to the same anti-submarine warfare standard as Greece's French-built FDI frigates, according to ekathimerini.com.
Officials are still examining anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile options for the new vessels. The committee also discussed NATO support programs covering HAWK air defense systems, PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery, and Stinger launchers, in a package worth around €110 million.
