Greece is negotiating with several countries to purchase second-hand frigates to strengthen its navy and renew its aging warships. According to sources in the Greek Ministry of Defense, talks are ongoing with France, the US, the UK and the Netherlands, while the Italian offer is of particular interest. According to the Kathimerini newspaper, Italy’s proposed FREMM-class frigates are being considered a serious option as the Greek navy is looking for ready-made and affordable ships.
Italy's FREMM Frigate Offer
Italy has offered to sell four FREMM-IT class Bergamini frigates to Greece at a reasonable cost. According to Flight.com, the ships included in the offer are:
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Carlo Bergamini (F-590) – It was put into service in 2013.
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Luigi Rizzo (F-595) – It was put into service in 2017.
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Federico Martinengo (F-596) – It was put into service in 2018.
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Antonio Marceglia (F-597) – It was put into service in 2019.
Within the scope of the delivery plan of these ships, the first two frigates are expected to join the Greek Navy as of 2027, and the other two ships after 2030.
Cost and Strategic Importance
According to the Italian proposal, the frigates Carlo Bergamini and Luigi Rizzo will have a total capacity of 1,000 kg, without missiles, excluding weapon systems. 600 million euros It is offered for a fee. Similar pricing is expected for the other two ships. The offer, totaling €1.2 billion, could enable Greece to acquire modern warships at affordable prices.
While Greece wants to renew its existing Kortenaer-class frigates, Türkiye’s increasing naval power in the Eastern Mediterranean also makes such purchases a strategic necessity. In this context, the FREMM-class ships are considered a critical move that will increase the deterrent capacity of the Greek navy.
Course of Negotiations and Alternatives
According to the Kathimerini newspaper, talks on Italy’s FREMM frigates and lighter-armed PPA-class ships are still in the early stages. While final decisions are expected to be made at the political level, it is known that Greece is continuing similar negotiations not only with Italy but also with other countries. On the other hand, Italy has previously sold FREMM frigates to Egypt and PPA ships to Indonesia. This suggests that it is possible for Greece to procure ships from the Italian navy.
Features of Bergamini Class FREMM Frigates
Bergamini class FREMM-IT frigates, 144.6 meters long, 6.700 tons displacement ve low visibility technologies to radar waves Thanks to the CODLAG hybrid drive system, 27 knots maximum speed ve Range of 6.800 nautical miles The electric propulsion system provides operational advantage by providing silent cruising ability.
Weapon systems can be listed as follows:
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1 x 127 mm OTO Melara gun
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1 x 76mm CIWS
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2 x 25 mm cannons
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8 Otomat MK2 anti-ship missiles
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2 x 3-piece MU90 light torpedo launchers
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16 Aster 15/30 air defense missiles
In terms of electronic systems, the Bergamini-class frigates are quite advanced:
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Leonardo Kronos Grand Naval AESA radar (300 km+ range)
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RAN-30X/I navigation radar
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Athena battle management system
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Advanced electronic warfare systems
Conclusion and Evaluation
Greece’s purchase of the FREMM frigate from Italy is considered part of the country’s strategy to strengthen its naval forces. Given Türkiye’s increasing naval power and the increasing competition in the Eastern Mediterranean, such a purchase could be a critical opportunity for Greece. However, whether the offer is accepted or not will depend on budget, diplomatic relations and alternative offers from other countries.
