Naval Group, a French state-owned naval defence contractor specialising in warship design, construction and maintenance, expanded its strategic presence in Greece in recent years, moving beyond a conventional defence procurement framework and developing a multi-layered industrial and technological initiative.
The company centred its activity on the FDI HN frigate programme for the Hellenic Navy while building an expanding network of partnerships aimed at securing a long-term footprint in the country.
A key pillar of Naval Group’s activity involved cooperation with Salamis Shipyards, which actively participated in the frigate production process. The shipyard constructed structural sections (blocks) of the vessels, becoming the first shipyard outside France to undertake this type of manufacturing work for the programme. Salamis Shipyards also assumed a role in technical support and maintenance through follow-on support agreements, strengthening long-term Greek participation.
Naval Group expanded its industrial footprint through collaboration with METLEN, signing a memorandum of understanding covering projects related to both frigates and submarines, with potential for international development. METLEN already participated in the production of metal structures for FDI frigates for both Greece and France, while the new agreement paved the way for deeper integration into Naval Group’s global supply chain. The partnership marked a shift from a simple procurement model to a deeper industrial cooperation framework with export potential.
Beyond these core partnerships, Naval Group developed an extensive network of collaborators across Greece, involving dozens of companies from multiple sectors. More than 60 Greek firms joined the programme, with over 120 individual contracts signed. These agreements covered activities ranging from metal fabrication and composite materials to specialised services and technical support, significantly increasing the role of Greek industry.
The company also invested in links with the academic and research community through partnerships with institutions such as the National Technical University of Athens and the University of Patras. These collaborations focused on high-technology fields including naval systems, materials science and digital applications, contributing to knowledge transfer and strengthening domestic innovation.
The establishment of the subsidiary Naval Group Hellas formed part of this strategy, operating as a coordination hub for the company’s activities in Greece and reinforcing its physical presence. Through this entity, Naval Group aimed to develop local support infrastructure, employ specialised personnel and ensure the long-term sustainability of projects.
At a strategic level, Naval Group’s activity in Greece aligned with broader objectives extending beyond defence. Strengthening the Hellenic Navy represented only one aspect of the initiative, alongside the upgrading of the domestic industrial base, the creation of highly skilled jobs and the integration of Greek companies into international value chains.
Greece’s geographic position and maritime tradition created favourable conditions for the development of naval defence activity in the Eastern Mediterranean. Naval Group leveraged these advantages by investing in partnerships and infrastructure capable of supporting both national programmes and wider international requirements.
Within this framework, the evolution of partnerships with Greek companies, including Salamis Shipyards and METLEN, demonstrated that Naval Group regarded Greece not merely as a client but as a strategic partner. The company aimed to establish a stable industrial ecosystem capable of supporting high-technology projects and operating as a regional hub for naval defence industry activities.
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