Greece Approves Italian FREMM Acquisition as Athens Reshapes Naval Balance in the Eastern Mediterranean

Greece has officially approved the acquisition of Italian Bergamini-class FREMM frigates while simultaneously launching a major upgrade of its MEKO 200HN fleet, accelerating one of the most significant naval modernization efforts currently underway in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The decision, approved in recent days by the Greek Government Council for National Security (KYSEA), confirms Athens’ intention to build a layered high-end surface fleet centered around French FDI Belharra frigates, upgraded German-built MEKOs, and Italian FREMMs. The move also deepens defense-industrial cooperation between Italy and Greece at a time of renewed regional competition with Turkey.

A 2+2 FREMM Structure

According to Greek and international defense media, Athens approved the acquisition of two second-hand Italian Navy Bergamini-class frigates (ITS Bergamini and ITS Fasan), with an option for two additional ships under a 2+2 structure.

The agreement follows the naval cooperation memorandum signed in La Spezia in September 2025 between Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. At the time, the deal already signaled a strategic convergence between the two Mediterranean NATO members.

The first two frigates are expected to arrive around 2028, likely after modification and modernization work involving Greek shipyards and Italian industry. Reports indicate that Athens is also evaluating the integration of systems already selected for the Hellenic Navy’s future FDI fleet, including CAPTAS-4 sonar systems and potentially new missile architectures compatible with the broader Greek naval modernization roadmap.

The Bergamini-class FREMMs would dramatically improve Greek anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, especially as underwater competition in the region continues to intensify.

Building a New Hellenic Fleet

What makes the Greek decision strategically important is not simply the acquisition itself, but the emerging force structure behind it.

Athens is progressively moving toward a fleet architecture composed of:

• four French FDI Belharra frigates,
• up to four Italian FREMM Bergamini frigates (2+2),
• and four upgraded MEKO 200HN frigates.

At the same time, Greece is preparing to retire its aging Elli-class frigates, many of which date back to the late Cold War era.

The MEKO modernization program, valued at roughly €290 million according to Greek media, is expected to extend the operational life of the four Hydra-class ships by at least 15 years. Work should begin in 2027 and continue into the next decade.

This layered approach suggests Greece is no longer pursuing isolated procurement programs, but a coherent maritime strategy designed around interoperability, long-range ISR integration, anti-submarine warfare, and sustained Eastern Mediterranean presence.

Whether Athens will eventually activate the option for all four FREMMs remains unclear. But the trajectory is becoming increasingly visible.

Strategic Implications for Italy and the Mediterranean

For Italy, the agreement is strategically relevant beyond the industrial aspect.

The transfer of Bergamini-class frigates would strengthen Rome’s defense ties with Athens while reinforcing an emerging Mediterranean security axis involving Italy, Greece, and France. At the same time, the deal could accelerate Italian Navy replacement timelines through the FREMM EVO program (the two frigates transferred to Greece are expected to be replaced by an additional pair of FREMM EVO frigates.).

In operational terms, the arrival of FREMMs would significantly increase Greek endurance and blue-water deployment capability across the Eastern Mediterranean, where maritime tensions, energy competition, and NATO operational demands continue to grow.

By the end of the decade, the Hellenic Navy could emerge as one of the most capable naval forces in Southern Europe — and one increasingly interconnected with Italian naval industry and operational doctrine.