Greece’s negotiations with France are advancing on Athens’ planned purchase of an additional fourth Belharra-class frigate developed by Naval Group.
Greek National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias disclosed the talks on the warship following his signing of an agreement with his visiting French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu, on Monday to purchase 18 French Exocet missiles.
Weapons Procurement
The missile procurement for an undisclosed amount is the most recent in Athens’ series of purchases of French military equipment that included three Belharra frigates and 24 Rafale warplanes. According to Dendias, France is also supplying Greece with NH-90 military helicopters, and the two countries are also pursuing a partnership in defense innovations.
Greece recently announced a $27 billion defense modernization plan over the next 10 years, which will involve adopting advanced warfare technologies and taking precautionary measures regarding border tensions with Turkey.
Multi-Role Warship
The Belharra frigates that the Hellenic Navy is integrating into its fleet are advanced multi-role warships with advanced digital, cyber and combat systems designed for high-threat environments. Greece joined the French Belharra production program in 2022, with three orders, plus the fourth under current negotiations. Two Belharra deliveries are expected this year, with the third frigate scheduled for delivery in 2026.
Athens was also reported to be negotiating with Italy to purchase two second-hand Bergamini-class frigates as part of the Greek defense system’s modernization program.
Spartan Cooperation
Italy and Greece are both members of the C-27J Spartan Cooperation, which the Hellenic Republic joined in March 2024. The organization, which also includes Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia, enables data exchange and cooperation on operations, logistics, airworthiness, procurement and training related to the C27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft.
Greece and France, on the other hand, entered into a defense and security cooperation agreement in 2021, which included a mutual defense clause.