Greece buys two used Italian FREMM frigates

Italy's first-of-class FREMM, Carlo Bergamini , reportedly one of two vessels of the class to be sold to Greece. (Fincantieri)

The National Armaments Directors of Italy (Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani) and Greece (Major General Ioannis Bouras) have signed a preliminary agreement for the transfer to the Hellenic Navy of two European multi-purpose frigates (Fregata Europea Multi-Missione: FREMM) currently in service with the Italian Navy as Bergamini-class vessels.

The agreement will be implemented through state-owned shipbuilder Fincantieri, and includes a support package provided together with an option to purchase two more in-service vessels of the same class. Fincantieri said in a 29 September release that the two ships are expected to be replaced with new orders in the near future.

The signing took place in the presence, among others, of Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias, and Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy Admiral Enrico Credendino.

Dendias told a press briefing in La Spezia, Italy, on 29 September that this agreement, plus the four French FDI Belharra newbuild frigates and the MEKO fleet modernisation, will strengthen the Hellenic Navy's capabilities.

The agreement, he said, “opens the door for us to acquire two FREMM frigates – like the one we are onboard right now – with the option of two more. Two or four ships, about a decade old. I believe that with the ‘Agenda 2030' [defence plan], we are entering a new era for the Hellenic Navy … quickly bridging the enormous gap left by the decade-long economic crisis”, he said.