Athens, January 28 – In a significant move to bolster their naval alliance, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias met with his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, on Thursday. The high-profile meeting took place aboard the newly delivered FDI frigate Kimon, a tangible symbol of Franco-Greek cooperation, which arrived in Greece earlier this year.
Deepening Naval Ties Aboard the Frigate Kimon
The frigate Kimon, described as the most modern surface combatant in the Eastern Mediterranean, served as the backdrop for discussions aimed at expanding defense collaboration. The Hellenic Navy played a role in the frigate’s design and development, with Greek companies contributing to its construction, highlighting the existing industrial partnership between the two nations.
Following their one-on-one talks, Minister Vautrin was scheduled to tour the Salamis shipyards. These shipyards are already integrated into the FDI production chain, manufacturing sections of the ships’ superstructure. French officials are keen to broaden this cooperation, seeking to include Salamis and other Greek industries in a wider armaments package, potentially involving co-production initiatives.
Frigate and Submarine Procurement on the Agenda
A key aspect of the discussions revolved around the potential acquisition of additional FDI frigates. France is expected to reiterate its proposal, which includes the offer of domestic construction, the establishment of a frigate and submarine production line in Salamis, and expanded Greek industrial participation. While Greek officials have previously expressed interest, fiscal constraints and competing defense priorities have been cited as challenges.
Submarine capabilities also featured prominently in the talks. The Hellenic Navy has put forward a plan to modernize four existing Type 214 submarines and acquire four new ones. France has proposed its Scorpene class submarines, with options for integrating Scalp naval missiles, and is open to discussing a conventional Barracuda variant. Other designs from Germany, Sweden, and South Korea have also been under consideration.
Renewing the Bilateral Defense Agreement
Beyond specific procurement, the ministers addressed the renewal of the bilateral defense agreement, which is set to expire in June. Greece is seeking an enhanced five-year accord that would encompass a broad range of areas, including operational cooperation, industrial participation, regional developments, Greek-Turkish relations, the situation in Ukraine, NATO, and wider European security concerns. Senior military leaders and procurement officials from both countries were present at the talks, according to Greek defense sources.
Broader Strategic Context
This meeting underscores a growing strategic alignment between Paris and Athens, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean, where both nations share concerns regarding regional stability and security. The emphasis on industrial participation and co-production reflects a desire to build a more robust and self-reliant defense capability within Europe, while also strengthening bilateral ties.
The discussions on defense procurement and strategic cooperation are part of a continuous dialogue between Greece and its allies to modernize its armed forces and enhance its deterrent capabilities in a complex geopolitical environment. The outcome of these talks is expected to influence Greece’s long-term defense strategy and its role within European security architecture.
Source: https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/foreign-policy/1293558/paris-athens-deepening-naval-alliance/
