Salamis Shipyards has completed and delivered four additional outfitted blocks for the French Navy’s third FDI frigate, marking the completion of all five sections the Greek shipyard was contracted to build for the vessel.
The four blocks were completed at Salamis Shipyards’ facilities in Greece and departed on August 28, 2026, bound for Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient, France. There, they will be incorporated into the frigate as construction progresses.
The latest shipment follows the delivery of the first block on May 17, bringing the total number of outfitted sections delivered by Salamis Shipyards for the third French FDI frigate to five.
The vessel is the third FDI frigate being built for the French Navy and the seventh frigate overall within the wider FDI programme.
The delivery further strengthens Salamis Shipyards’ role as a strategic industrial partner of Naval Group and highlights the technical expertise the Greek shipyard has developed through its involvement in one of Europe’s most advanced naval shipbuilding programmes.
Expanding Greek participation in the FDI programme
Salamis Shipyards is involved in the construction of FDI class frigates for both the Hellenic Navy and the French Navy, producing outfitted hull and superstructure blocks that are subsequently integrated at Naval Group’s facilities.
The company’s participation represents a significant development for Greece’s shipbuilding and defence industries. It is the first time a Greek shipyard has participated in the construction of a high technology warship for another country’s navy.
Cooperation between Salamis Shipyards and Naval Group has expanded steadily since an agreement was signed in 2022.
Since February 2024, Salamis Shipyards has delivered outfitted blocks for the third and fourth Greek FDI HN frigates, HS Formion and HS Themistoklis. Since July 2024, the shipyard has also supplied corresponding blocks for the second French FDI frigate being constructed in Lorient.
With the completion of the five blocks for the third French FDI frigate, Greek industrial participation in the programme continues to expand, demonstrating the ability of the domestic shipbuilding sector to contribute to international defence supply chains and high technology naval programmes.
Long term cooperation with Naval Group
The partnership has also expanded beyond ship construction. Salamis Shipyards has signed a six year contract with Naval Group for follow on support of FDI Belharra frigates, covering technical support for Greek and French vessels.
Salamis Shipyards Chairman Dr. Georgios Koros said the completion of the work demonstrates Greece’s growing capabilities in advanced defence shipbuilding.
“Our ongoing cooperation with Naval Group demonstrates that Greece can be at the forefront of defence shipbuilding,” Koros said.
He described the completion and delivery of the five blocks as confirmation of the shipyard’s expertise, reliability and industrial capabilities, adding that the company is working to strengthen the role of Greece’s domestic defence industry in areas critical to national security and technological self reliance.
The cooperation has also enabled the transfer of specialised expertise and technical knowledge to Greece through Naval Group’s high technology FDI programme. This has helped Salamis Shipyards develop new capabilities, specialised knowledge and certifications required for complex naval construction projects.
With more than four decades of experience, Salamis Shipyards is one of Greece’s established shipbuilding and defence companies. Its modern facilities, specialised workforce and compliance with European and NATO standards allow it to undertake complex military and commercial projects.
The company’s growing role in the FDI programme highlights the increasing ability of Greece’s domestic shipbuilding industry to participate in major international defence programmes and integrate into global supply chains, while strengthening the country’s industrial and export potential.
