Greece welcomed the Belharra frigate Kimon in a ceremony marking a new chapter for the Hellenic Navy, broadcast live by ERTnews and ertnews.gr in the presence of the country's political and military leadership.
President Konstantinos Tasoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Defence Minister Nikos Dendias attended the ceremony at sea.
The events in Faliro Bay on Thursday 15 January marked the first arrival of a new frigate in the Greek fleet for 28 years.
Kimon, the first of four Belharra frigates Greece is to receive, was welcomed in formation by two frigates, two fast guided-missile patrol boats, two gunboats and two special-warfare craft. Three Hellenic Navy Aegean Hawk helicopters also took part.
The two special-warfare craft then escorted Kimon towards the historic warship Averof and the trireme Olympias, where honours were exchanged.
The frigate passed between the two historic vessels, inclining its guns in salute. Naval cadets aboard Olympias raised their oars from the water, while Averof's crew stood to attention.
Averof and Olympias were chosen because, together with Kimon, they represent three historic examples of the Navy's distinctive reverse or ram-bow profiles.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: a step towards a safer country
Speaking from Kimon's deck, the Prime Minister said:
“The duty of every government, every political leadership and myself as Prime Minister is to leave our country safer than we found it. Today we have taken a step in that direction.”
He said everyone had felt pride, joy and uplift at Kimon's arrival, describing it as another link in the continuing effort to modernise the armed forces.
The aim, he said, was to ensure that no one questioned Greece's deterrent capability and that the country could project its power increasingly effectively as a force for stability and reliability in the eastern Mediterranean.
Konstantinos Tasoulas: a national achievement
President Tasoulas described the occasion as a national achievement.
“Greece is being decisively strengthened, both morally and practically, by the arrival of the pioneering vessel Kimon, a sixth-generation ship coming to reinforce the Hellenic Navy and our country's deterrent strength,” he said.
“Today we are witnessing a national achievement. The Navy's new deterrence doctrine is being put into practice. The new doctrine for protecting Greece's sovereignty and peace in the eastern Mediterranean is being put into practice.”
He added:
“We welcome a new Greece, respected by its friends, while those who threaten it will not dare carry out their threats, because Kimon and the strength of our Navy will not allow it.”
Nikos Dendias: the armed forces enter the 21st century
Defence Minister Nikos Dendias described it as a great day for the Navy, the armed forces and the country.
He called the Standard 2++ version “the most powerful frigate on the planet” and said it would reinforce the armed forces in their fundamental mission: deterring aggression, ensuring the security of Greek society and citizens, and safeguarding sovereignty and sovereign rights.
Referring to Agenda 2030, he said the armed forces were being transformed from a collection of weapons systems into a knowledge and information-processing organisation capable of addressing risks and challenges comprehensively.
“Our country's armed forces are moving into the 21st century,” he said.
Visit aboard and passage to Salamis
The President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister had boarded Kimon earlier, toured the frigate and spoken with its crew.
The President and Prime Minister exchanged gifts with commanding officer Commander Ioannis Kizanis and his officers, and signed the ship's visitors' book.
Others present included the armed forces chiefs, French Ambassador Laurence Auer and MPs.
After the ceremony and the departure of official guests, Kimon was due to pass the Astir entry point between Psyttaleia, Atalanti and Kynosoura, sail through the channel where the Battle of Salamis took place and arrive at Salamis Naval Base, its final destination.
