Greece and Italy are deepening their defense ties with a naval deal that will see Athens acquire two Italian-built FREMM Bergamini-class frigates.
The declaration of intent, signed by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto, also allows for the potential acquisition of two additional FREMM frigates.
The FREMM, a European joint design developed by Italy and France, is a highly versatile surface combatant. The Bergamini variant in service with the Italian Navy is fitted for multi-mission operations, capable of anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare.
The ship can support everything from high-intensity conflict to maritime patrol and crisis response with its advanced radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems.
Dendias said that a memorandum of cooperation on naval affairs signed at the same meeting sets the stage for broader collaboration beyond the frigate acquisition.
“We underlined the importance of strengthening our cooperation within the EU and the Mediterranean, as well as in the fields of the defence industry and innovation,” Dendias said.
Expanding Mediterranean Cooperation
The move highlights both countries’ push to expand cooperation in the Mediterranean at a time of heightened regional security demands. The deal also fits into a broader modernization drive by Athens that has already seen contracts signed for French Belharra frigates and Rafale fighter jets.
Rome, meanwhile, views the agreement as a boost for Italy’s defense industry and a demonstration of its role as a security provider in southern Europe.
Shipbuilder Fincantieri has already sold variants of the FREMM to Egypt, Indonesia, and the United States.
The move also comes amid a broader trend across Europe, with countries like Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands investing heavily in new surface combatants and patrol ships.
