Nikos Dendias on Greek Belharra: “They will be the most powerful frigates on planet Earth”

In an interview granted to journalist Nikos Chatzinikolaou on the ANT1 television network on January 15, 2026, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, underscored the historical significance of acquiring the frigate “Kimon,” dismissing Turkish claims of a “communications show.”

The Minister presented his vision for the radical transformation of the Armed Forces, focusing on technological superiority and operational autonomy.

The Power of the Belharra Frigates and the ELSA Missile

Mr. Dendias characterized the new frigate as an exceptionally critical weapon system, while revealing significant details regarding the fleet’s armament:

Weaponry Superiority: All four Belharra-class frigates will be upgraded to the Standard 2++ level.

Strategic Deterrence: He confirmed that all four vessels will be equipped with Sylver 70 launchers, enabling the deployment of the new ELSA strategic missile, which boasts a range of 1,000 kilometers.

Global Leadership: The Minister emphatically argued that, upon completion of the procurement program, the Greek Belharras will constitute the most powerful surface units in their class worldwide.

“Gradually, this missile will be installed, and the corresponding launchers—the ‘Sylver 70s’-will be fitted on all four of our frigates. These four frigates will then be the most powerful frigates on planet Earth. It sounds hyperbolic. I assure you, it is not. It is exactly as I describe it,” Nikos Dendias stated.

Transformation into a “Knowledge Engine”

Beyond the fleet’s reinforcement, Mr. Dendias placed particular emphasis on the symbolism of the day, describing a comprehensive doctrinal shift for national defense.

According to the Minister, the Armed Forces are evolving from a traditional collection of weapon systems into a modern information and data-processing engine.

This new architecture is based on:

◾The integration of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies.

◾Ensuring sovereignty and sovereign rights through technological excellence.

◾Strengthening the citizens’ sense of security.

Reforms and Combatting Anachronistic Mentalities

In closing, the Minister linked the delivery of the new hardware to the recent legislative work in Parliament. He stressed the need for a break from obsolete mindsets of the past, noting characteristically that the Armed Forces must not operate with logics reminiscent of “state-owned enterprises of previous decades.”

On the contrary, he prioritized the need for an agile, modern, and effective command model capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

Nikos Dendias stated: “The four FDI frigates will henceforth be the most powerful frigates on planet Earth. We are literally speaking of a new era of infinite possibilities.”

“The symbolism of today’s milestone concerns the complete transformation of our Nation’s Armed Forces: Moving beyond a combat-ready collection of weapons systems, we are evolving into a new engine of knowledge, information, and data processing. By leveraging emerging technologies and Artificial Intelligence, we ensure our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, and the security of every Greek citizen.”