Greece Deploys Its Most Powerful Frigate, Kimon, to Defend Cyprus from Iranian Attacks

Greece will deploy two frigates and F-16 fighter jets to help protect Cyprus from potential Iranian attacks.

According to Naval News, citing Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, the deployment will include Greece’s newest and most capable warship, HN Kimon (F-601), which is equipped with a long-range air defense system. A Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigate will also be sent.

The naval deployment will be supported by two F-16 fighter jets, strengthening air defense in the high-risk area.

This marks the first, and immediately operational, mission for HN Kimon, the first of four FDI HN frigates built by Naval Group.

The decision to deploy the ships and fighter jets was made amid targeted Iranian attacks on Cyprus, including strikes on Paphos Airport and the British airbase Akrotiri, which has the status of sovereign UK territory.

As the United Kingdom is a member of NATO, the Akrotiri base is also considered NATO territory.

The attacks were carried out using both missiles and Shahed-type drones.

HN Kimon

The FDI HN frigates are equipped with advanced radars, sonar systems, an aviation component, and long-range surface-to-air missiles, significantly enhancing Greece’s ability to monitor and deter threats in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean seas.

HN Kimon was commissioned into the Hellenic Navy relatively recently, in late December 2025.

Greece placed the order for the new class of frigates in 2022. The government signed a contract with Naval Group as the shipbuilder and with MBDA as the supplier of electronic systems and weaponry.

Main Specifications:

• Displacement: 4,460 tons
• Length: 122 meters
• Beam: 17.7 meters
• Maximum speed: 27 knots
• Crew: 110 personnel

Armament:

• 1 × Oto Melara 76 mm Super Rapid naval gun
• 2 × Leonardo Lionfish 20 mm cannons
• 8 × Exocet MM-40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles
• 3 × Sylver A50 VLS (8-cell modules) for a total of 24 Aster 15/30 surface-to-air missiles
• 1 × Sylver A70 VLS (8 cells)
• 2 × twin torpedo launchers with EuroTorp MU90 torpedoes

Air Wing:

• 1 × MH-60R Seahawk helicopter
• 1 × Schiebel Camcopter S-100 UAV