Athens and Rome are moving closer to finalising the Hellenic Navy’s acquisition of two Italian FREMM frigates. The Implementing Arrangement will establish the programme’s legal, financial and technical terms, as well as the timetable for transferring the vessels.
Agreement to activate acquisition programme
Greece and Italy are scheduled to sign the Implementing Arrangement in Rome on 8 September 2026, effectively activating the programme for the acquisition of two Bergamini-class frigates.
According to an announcement by the Greek Ministry of National Defence, the agreement follows the Memorandum of Cooperation and Declaration of Intent signed in La Spezia on 29 September 2025.
Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias and his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto, are expected to attend the signing, along with the chiefs of the Greek and Italian navies.
The arrangement will be signed by the Greek ministry’s General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments and the corresponding Italian armaments directorate.
Legal and technical terms
The agreement will finalise the legal, financial and technical conditions governing the purchase of the two FREMM frigates.
It will also determine the timetable for their transfer, the support framework for the vessels and the participation of Greece’s defence industry in the programme.
Delivery timetable
The first frigate, Carlo Bergamini (F-590), is expected to be transferred to Greece during the first half of 2028.
The second vessel, Virginio Fasan (F-591), is scheduled to follow during the first half of 2029.
Source: CNA
