Naval Group Signs Drone Integration Deal for Greek FDI Frigates, Gowind Platforms

At DEFEA 2025, Naval Group signed agreements with Greek companies to integrate drones into the Hellenic Navy’s FDI frigates and Gowind corvettes, boosting capabilities in unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone technologies.

Naval Group has partnered with ALTUS LSA to incorporate the ATLAS-8 UAV into these ships, enhancing surveillance and operational flexibility. Additionally, a MoU with Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) will explore the integration of the Centaur counter-UAS system, aimed at strengthening the Navy’s defense against unmanned aerial threats.

These partnerships are part of Naval Group’s broader strategy to increase local industry involvement in its projects, with over 120 contracts signed with Greek firms since 2022.

As the FDI program is moving forward, and the first unit Kimon is scheduled to be delivered at the end of the year, Naval Group is involving more Hellenic companies in the support of the frigates.

The four framework contracts signed at DEFEA aim at contributing to the future support of the FDI for the Hellenic Navy in Greece, covering the following services:

FARAD: services for HVAC systems

DIVING STATUS: underwater inspection and maintenance work

MELITA: diesel engine

PETROS PETROPOULOS: diesel generator

FDI Frigates

In September 2021, Greece signed an agreement with France's Naval Group to purchase three FDI HN frigates, with an option for one more, as part of a $5 billion defense package. The FDI HN export version is also known as the Belharra-class frigate. In February 2022, documents released by the Greek Parliament indicated that initially, the first two frigates for the Hellenic Navy would be equipped similarly to their French counterparts in a "Standard-1" configuration (with 16 Sylver A50 cells). By 2027, the two ships would be upgraded to a "Standard-2" configuration with 32 A50 cells and the RAM Block 2B. The third Hellenic Navy frigate would be built from the outset in the "Standard-2" configuration.

The FDI-class frigates are 4,500-ton warships designed for multipurpose naval operations, including anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-ship combat, as well as special forces projection. Equipped with systems developed by Thales and MBDA, the warship is armed with Exocet MM40 B3C anti-ship missiles, Aster anti-air missiles, MU90 torpedoes, and RAM systems. The frigate also has aviation facilities for a 10-ton class helicopter and a VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The technical specifications of the FDI frigate include a length of 122 meters, a width of 18 meters, and a maximum speed of 27 knots. The ship's armaments feature 32 Aster missiles, 8 Exocet missiles, RAM missiles, MU90 torpedoes, and a 76mm gun.

Reports also suggest that the FDI frigates could be equipped with S-100 Camcopter UAS.