Greece to sign deal for up to four FREMM Bergamini frigates with Italy by April 2026.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed that negotiations with Italy for the acquisition of two Italian FREMM Bergamini-class frigates with a 2+2 option are expected to conclude with a contract by April 2026.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed that negotiations with Italy for the acquisition of two Italian FREMM Bergamini-class frigates, with an option for two additional ships, are expected to conclude with a 2+2 FREMM contract by April 2026. The ships would complement the Kimon-class frigates under construction, and the upgraded MEKO 200HN fleet as Greece modernizes its navy under the Agenda 2030 defense modernization program, while replacing the Cold War–era Elli-class vessels.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Greece is reportedly interested by two Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Bergamini-class frigates currently in service with the Italian Navy, namely the ITS Carlo Bergamini and ITS Virginio Fasan, both commissioned in the early 2010s. (Picture source: Italian Navy)

On March 8, 2026, Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias confirmed in an interview with Tovima that negotiations with Italy for the acquisition of two Italian FREMM Bergamini-class frigates with an option for two additional ships are expected to conclude with a contract signature by April 2026, as part of Greece’s ongoing naval modernization effort. Greece and Italy have already signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on naval collaboration and a Declaration of Intent covering the 2+2 acquisition framework in September 2025. The initial transfer would involve two vessels entering service with the Hellenic Navy, while the option for two additional ships would allow further fleet expansion later in the decade.

The specific vessels considered are reported to be the ITS Carlo Bergamini and ITS Virginio Fasan, two Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) variants of the Bergamini class, while Greek naval delegations have also inspected other units of the class during evaluation visits in Italy, including the ITS Carlo Margottini. The potential purchase forms part of the Agenda 2030 defense modernization program, which includes major investments in naval combatants, missile defense systems, aircraft, and command-and-control infrastructure. The decision is driven by the gradual retirement of the Elli-class frigates introduced during the late Cold War and the need to maintain a modern fleet capable of sustained operations in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean.

The acquisition, which would complement the introduction of the four French Kimon-class frigates currently under construction for Greece and the mid-life modernization of four MEKO 200HN frigates, is part of a broader defense investment program estimated at €28 billion across the 2025 to 2036 period. Within the Greek procurement process, operational requirements are defined by the armed forces leadership, followed by negotiations conducted by the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments. The political leadership evaluates the resulting agreements before the contracts proceed to parliamentary consultation and final approval by the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence. 

The Italian 2+2 FREMM acquisition would allow Greece to introduce modern multi-role combatants without the longer timelines associated with new shipbuilding programs such as the Kimon-class. At the same time, Athens is evaluating the integration of the ELSA long-range surface-to-air missile on both the FREMM frigates and the Belharra-class ships to maintain a unified missile inventory and compatible air defense architecture across the fleet. In the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece has expanded its operational footprint and currently participates in five military missions outside national territory. Following the drone attack targeting Cyprus, Athens deployed four F-16 fighter jets and two naval vessels, including the frigate Kimon and the frigate Psara equipped with the Kentauros counter-drone system, following a request from the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides.

Additional defensive measures include the deployment of an air defense battery on the island of Karpathos and the presence of Greek naval units with anti-air warfare capability in the surrounding maritime area. Greece also agreed to provide anti-ballistic coverage to Bulgaria after a request from Sofia, as part of regional defensive cooperation. Negotiations with France are also underway to update the strategic defense cooperation agreement, which includes a mutual assistance clause and expanded collaboration in the defense industry, research, and innovation. Discussions between Greek and French defense ministers have taken place repeatedly in recent months in order to define the scope of the updated agreement.

Athens has also emphasized cooperation within NATO and the European Union as part of a wider security framework that combines national defense planning with multinational security structures. Within this context, Greece continues to coordinate humanitarian and reconstruction initiatives linked to the Gaza situation while maintaining participation in multinational missions. The modernization of the armed forces under Agenda 2030 includes investments in drones, anti-drone systems, autonomous systems operating in the air and maritime domains, new command-and-control networks, and the development of domestic defense innovation capabilities. The FREMM Bergamini-class frigates considered by Greece belong to the multinational FREMM program developed jointly by France and Italy for modern multi-role naval warfare.

Italian Bergamini-class ships measure 144 meters in length and displace about 6,500 tons at full load. The propulsion architecture uses a Combined Diesel-Electric and Gas configuration combining diesel-electric propulsion for quiet cruising with a gas turbine for high-speed operations. Maximum speed reaches about 27 knots, while operational endurance exceeds 6,000 nautical miles at patrol speed, allowing extended deployments without refueling. The ships are designed to operate as task group combatants capable of conducting air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and surface strike missions simultaneously. Two configurations exist in Italian service, including a General Purpose variant, optimized for surface strike and maritime security operations, and an Anti-Submarine Warfare variant, equipped with enhanced acoustic detection systems.

The sensor and combat management architecture integrates a Leonardo-developed combat system with an active electronically scanned array multifunction radar and a suite of electronic warfare systems. The radar supports air surveillance, target tracking, and missile guidance functions within the ship’s air defense network. Electronic warfare systems provide detection and countermeasures against radar-guided and electronic threats in environments characterized by dense electromagnetic activity. Data links allow integration with other naval units and airborne assets within a networked operational environment. The combat system coordinates sensors, missile launchers, and artillery in order to manage simultaneous engagements against air and surface threats during fleet operations.

Air defense capability is centered on vertical launch systems compatible with MBDA Aster surface-to-air missiles within the SAAM ESD air defense architecture. Typical configurations include Aster 15 missiles for point defense and Aster 30 missiles capable of engaging aircraft and anti-ship missiles at medium ranges. The missile system provides area air defense coverage for naval formations and maritime infrastructure. Surface strike capability is provided by eight Teseo anti-ship missiles designed for long-range engagement of hostile vessels. The primary naval artillery is a 127 mm gun capable of firing Vulcano precision-guided ammunition for land attack and naval fire support missions. A 76 mm Super Rapid gun equipped with Strales guided ammunition provides close-in anti-missile defense and engagement capability against fast surface threats.

Anti-submarine warfare capability is a central element of the subvariant considered by Greece. These ships are equipped with hull-mounted sonar and towed array sonar systems designed to detect submarines operating at long distances and in complex acoustic conditions typical of the Mediterranean basin. Two triple torpedo launchers deploy MU90 lightweight torpedoes for underwater engagement. Aviation facilities include a large flight deck and enclosed hangar capable of supporting helicopters such as the NH90 or EH101 equipped with dipping sonar, sonobuoys and torpedoes. Helicopter operations extend the detection range against submarines and improve maritime surveillance coverage over large sea areas. These combined sensors and weapons allow the ships to operate as command units for anti-submarine warfare operations in contested maritime environments such as the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.