Greece greenlights frigates deal and MEKO upgrades

Greece's Government Council for National Security (KYSEA) approved the acquisition of two second-hand FREMM-type Bergamini frigates from Italy and the modernization of German-made MEKO-type frigates at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday.

The council also approved the procurement of modern encryption devices and greenlit the implementation of the National Strategy for Unmanned Vehicles for 2026-2030.

All related procurement programs have already passed through parliamentary approval procedures, according to reports.

Passengers onboard the Pereus Agena ship look on as the Greek warship "KANARIS" sails the Argosaronic Gulf outside Athens on May 4, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Athens eyes up to 4 Italian frigates

Greece intends to acquire a total of four Bergamini frigates, initially two with an option for two more, as part of a broader plan to strengthen the operational capabilities and deterrence capacity of the Greek Navy, according to sources cited by media.

The two frigates had recently cleared a parliamentary special committee review.

The MEKO frigate modernization program was also set in motion at the same session.

The French Languedoc (D653), a FREMM multipurpose frigate, and Italian frigate Alpino (F594) (R) perform maneuvers during the "Noble Dina 23" multilateral aeronautical exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, March 27, 2023. (AFP Photo)

Patriot batteries withdrawn, additional armored vehicle sent to Lebanon

KYSEA approved the return of the Patriot air defense batteries stationed in Didymoteicho and Karpathos, with sources telling Kathimerini the repatriation was deemed necessary due to changing geopolitical conditions.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis described the withdrawal as "an operational decision" taken on the recommendation of the Defense Ministry following "operational assessment and the passage of a long period of time." "I am tired of reading reports about retreat," Marinakis said, according to CNN Greece.

A pair of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets will be repositioned to Karpathos to replace the Patriot battery previously stationed on the island, according to a report.

Separately, four F-16s deployed to Paphos, Greek Cyprus, at the outset of the Gulf war crisis are set to withdraw, to be replaced by Greek Air Force pairs to cover the gap.

The council also decided to send one additional M113 armored vehicle to Lebanon as part of bilateral military cooperation. Eleven vehicles of the same type, drawn from Greek Armed Forces reserves, have already been deployed to the area.

May 19, 2026 01:14 PM GMT+03:00