Greece Signs $1.2 Billion Deal with Italy to Acquire Up to Four FREMM Frigates
In late September, Greece and Italy agreed on a major naval transfer that will see the Hellenic Navy acquire two Italian-built FREMM (Bergamini-class) frigates – with options for two more. The deal was formalized on September 29, in La Spezia, Italy, when Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and his Italian counterpart signed a naval cooperation agreement and a declaration of intent for the sale of the 2+2 frigates. These frigates are currently in Italian service and the preliminary agreement deepens the two NATO allies’ maritime partnership.
The ships are two Bergamini-class FREMM frigates (a general-purpose Bergamini and an ASW-specialized Fasan) that entered Italian service around 2013. Both the frigates were built by Fincantieri and they will now handle the transfer and provide support and maintenance packages. Greek media report a price of around €300 million per vessel. Crucially, since these warships are already constructed and active, Athens can take delivery very rapidly – a fraction of the time required to build new hulls. Rome plans to replace the transferred frigates by ordering new FREMM “Evo” variants for its own fleet.
The Bergamini-class frigates add significant capabilities to the Hellenic fleet. Each ship is 144m long with a displacement of around 6,500–7,000 tons and features a 32-cell Aster SAM VLS (SAAM-ESD air defense system), eight Otomat/Teseo anti-ship missiles, a 127mm main gun, close-in weapon systems, and ASW torpedoes. They also carry advanced sonar systems and a flight deck for ASW helicopters. Greece is simultaneously acquiring four French FDI/Belharra frigates, so interoperability is emphasized: officials note that the FREMMs and FDI ships will use standard Aster missiles and even next-generation “ELSA” SAMs, simplifying logistics and significantly boosting the navy’s air-defense umbrella.
Strategically, the FREMM deal is a centerpiece of Greece’s broader naval modernization. Athens is investing roughly €28 billion in multi-year defense procurement under its “Agenda 2030” plan. The plan includes new submarines, air defense systems and surface combatants to maintain a competitive edge with Turkey. Greece will retire aging Kortenaer (Elli-class) ships and bridge capability gaps left by years of austerity by rapidly acquiring these proven frigates. The agreement significantly strengthens Greece’s deterrent stance with NATO-aligned frigates amid ongoing tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.