Greece and Italy have signed an agreement formalizing the transfer of two Italian Navy FREMM frigates to the Hellenic Navy, advancing a deal first outlined in 2025.
The contract covers the transfer of the Carlo Bergamini (F-590) and Virginio Fasan (F-591), which are currently in Italian service.
Under the agreement, the Carlo Bergamini is scheduled to transfer to Greece in the first half of 2028, followed by the Virginio Fasan in the first half of 2029. The arrangement also establishes provisions for initial and follow-on support to maintain the ships’ operational availability.
Greek Industrial Participation
The deal includes provisions for Greek shipyards to participate in maintenance and the integration of new systems aboard the frigates. Fincantieri, which designed and built the ships, will support the transfer and subsequent lifecycle support under the agreement.
Fincantieri CEO and Managing Director Pierroberto Folgiero said the transfer could create additional industrial cooperation between the Italian shipbuilder and Greek companies.
He added that introducing the ships into the Hellenic Navy could support cooperation among countries operating the FREMM platform.
The agreement follows a memorandum signed by Athens and Rome in La Spezia in September 2025. At the time, the nations outlined plans for two Bergamini-class frigates, with an option for two additional vessels.
The latest agreement formally establishes the legal, financial, and technical terms for the first two ships.
The acquisition forms part of Greece’s wider naval modernization program. Athens is also receiving four French-built FDI frigates and upgrading its existing MEKO-class frigates.
Meanwhile, the Italian Navy has operated the FREMM design since 2013. The multi-mission frigates were developed through an Italian-French program and are designed for roles including air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and surface warfare.