Greece to Buy Advanced Frigate Capable of Firing Ballistic Missiles

The Greek authorities has submitted a measure to Parliament to acquisition a fourth, highly precocious Belharra-class frigate that volition beryllium susceptible of firing ballistic missiles, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has said.

The acquisition of the caller warship, to beryllium named "Themistoklis," is portion of a multibillion-euro defence modernization programme that besides includes caller F-35 combatant jets and submarines.

Mr. Dendias explained that the 4th frigate is an enhanced "Standard 2++" mentation and that Greece's archetypal 3 Belharra frigates volition besides beryllium upgraded to the aforesaid precocious standard. Greek shipyards are expected to person a 25% information successful the ship's construction.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said the acquisition volition not interaction the Ministry of Defense's budget.

The determination is seen arsenic a cardinal measurement successful enhancing Greece's naval capabilities amid ongoing determination information challenges.