Italy and Greece have finalised an agreement to transfer two Italian Navy FREMM frigates, ITS Carlo Bergamini (F 590) and ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591), to the Hellenic Navy.
The implementing arrangement was signed in Rome on 8 September between the respective national defence directorates, formalising a process that will see the vessels delivered from 2028 onwards.
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The agreement was formalised in Rome with the participation of Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, and senior naval officials from both nations.
It establishes the framework for transferring the two vessels and specifies the responsibilities of Fincantieri, the Italian shipbuilder that originally designed and constructed the frigates.
Under the terms outlined, Fincantieri will oversee both the transfer and ongoing support for the frigates throughout their service with the Hellenic Navy.
The arrangement also encompasses provisions for initial and long-term operational support, details Greek industry’s participation in maintenance, and addresses the integration of new systems aboard the ships.
The agreement builds on a memorandum signed by the two countries in September 2025 and is part of a broader commitment to deepen defence and industrial cooperation.
Although neither government nor Fincantieri disclosed the financial terms of the deal, Greek daily eKathimerini reported that the deal is estimated to be worth €460m ($534m).
The frigates are due to be transferred to Greece in two phases with the first in H1 2028 and the second in H1 2029, the newspaper stated, citing Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias.
Fincantieri CEO and managing director Pierroberto Folgiero said: “The progress of the transfer process also creates new opportunities for industrial synergies between Fincantieri and the Greek industrial ecosystem, generating benefits across the supply chain.
“The introduction of the FREMM frigates into the Hellenic Navy represents a first step towards broader integration of expertise, technologies and industrial capabilities among countries operating the platform, fostering knowledge sharing and supporting development of further technological advancements.”
The ITS Carlo Bergamini and ITS Virginio Fasan are part of the Bergamini-class of the FREMM multirole frigate programme.
According to Fincantieri, the Italian units of the frigates displace approximately 6,500t, measures 144m in length, and can achieve speeds exceeding 27 knots with a range of 6,000 miles at 15 knots.
The vessels feature a combined diesel-electric and gas propulsion system, hull-mounted sonar, and dual helicopter hangars. The frigates’ variants differ in their weapon loadouts and mission systems.
