Greece Helped Build a French Navy Frigate. A First
A French Navy frigate launched this week carries parts built in Greece, and it's the first time a foreign warship has included sections constructed at a Greek shipyard.
Salamis Shipyards announced their role in the FDI frigate program, the French Navy's next-generation frigate developed by Naval Group. The Athens-based yard fabricated hull sections for the vessel, which has been named the Amiral Louzeau.
Landing a production role in that program puts Salamis Shipyards alongside European defense industry heavyweights.
According to Salamis Shipyards, this is the first time a ship belonging to a foreign navy has incorporated sections built at a Greek facility. The yard called it a milestone for the domestic shipbuilding industry, pointing to Greece's ability to compete in high-technology naval defense programs at the European level.
The FDI program is one of France's largest defense procurement efforts in decades, and Naval Group is among the biggest naval defense contractors in the world. Landing a production role in that program puts Salamis Shipyards alongside European defense industry heavyweights.
Salamis credited Naval Group for the trust placed in Greek manufacturing, and said the collaboration reflects the technical depth and production capacity that Greek shipyards can offer international partners. The yard also said it intends to keep pushing for a stronger Greek footprint in global defense contracts.
For Greece, the significance goes beyond one contract. Participation in the FDI program signals that Greek industry can plug into the supply chains of major European defense programs, which matters as the continent accelerates defense spending across the board.
