Greece and Italy have strengthened their defence ties with the signing of a new naval cooperation agreement in La Spezia on Monday, alongside a declaration of intent for Greece to acquire two FREMM frigates, with an option for two more, from the Italian Navy.
The agreement was signed by the directors of armaments, Lieutenant General Ioannis Bouras and Admiral Giancinto Ottaviani, in the presence of Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto.
During his visit, Dendias also held talks with Crosetto aboard an Italian Navy frigate.
“I had a very interesting discussion with my Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto, which concluded with the signing of the two protocols,” Mr Dendias told public broadcaster ERT.
“One of them indeed opens the door for us to acquire two FREMM frigates, with the option of two more. Two or four ships, about a decade old, with excellent capabilities and in excellent condition.”
The cost of the deal has not yet been disclosed.
Dendias said the addition of the FREMM frigates – part of the Bergamini class – together with the four new French FDI Belharra vessels and the modernisation of Greece’s existing MEKO fleet, would markedly enhance the Hellenic Navy’s operational strength.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring weapons systems compatibility between the FREMM and FDI classes.
“We are entering a new era for the Hellenic Armed Forces, a new era for the Hellenic Navy. I believe we are quickly bridging the enormous gap left by the decade-long economic crisis,” he said.
Source: Ekathimerini
