Salamis Shipyards collaborate with Naval Group and Infraport

Salamis Shipyards is entering a new phase of development and international upgrading, as reflected both by the expansion of their strategic partnerships in the field of defense shipbuilding and by their growing international presence.

The recent visit by the French Minister of Defense to Salamis Shipyards, combined with the long-term collaboration with the French Naval Group and its entry into the Indian market, establishes a framework that underscores the Greek shipyard's upgraded role in the European and international defense industry.

During her visit, the Minister of Defense of the French Republic, Catherine Vautrin, toured the production facilities and was briefed on the ongoing work on the pre-equipped sections (blocks) being manufactured in Salamis for the FDI (Belharra) type frigates.

The visit was attended by, among others, the Ambassador of the French Republic to Greece, Laurence Auer, the CEO of Naval Group, Pierre-Eric Pommellet, and executives from Greek-French defense cooperation.

The pre-equipped sections manufactured at Salamis Shipyards are part of the FDI frigate program for the Hellenic Navy and the Marine Nationale of France, within the framework of the collaboration with Naval Group, where the Greek shipyard participates as an authorized subcontractor in the French company's international supply chain.

Since 2023, blocks have already been manufactured and delivered for the third Greek frigate Formion, which is in the final stage of construction, as well as for the second frigate of the corresponding French program. Recently, pre-equipped sections were also delivered for the third French frigate FDI, ahead of the contractually stipulated delivery time.

This collaboration is accompanied by extensive knowledge and technology transfer, enhancing Salamis Shipyards' capabilities in producing complex, high-value-added defense structures. Market players note that these projects are a typical example of the Greek industry's successful integration into major international programs.

Beyond the construction phase, the collaboration extends to long-term support of the ships. In November 2024, on the sidelines of the Euronaval international exhibition in Paris, a six-year Follow-On Support (FoS) agreement was signed between Salamis Shipyards and Naval Group.

The agreement covers technical support and maintenance services for the FDI frigates of both the Hellenic Navy and the French Navy, integrating the Greek shipyard into the ships' life-cycle support.

In a statement on the occasion of the visit, the president of Salamis Shipyards, George Koros, said that "the visit of the French Minister of Defense is a special honor for Salamis Shipyards and highlights the technologically advanced work we are implementing in the defense sector, as well as the role we play in the development of the national defense shipbuilding industry."

As he noted, the stable and successful cooperation with international companies, such as Naval Group, "strengthens the strategic planning and future role of Salamis Shipyards."

Salamis Shipyards' international activity extends beyond Europe. As part of its strategic expansion, a memorandum of understanding was recently signed with ACT Infraport Ltd to develop a modern, competitive shipbuilding unit in Gujarat, India.

This agreement paves the way for the Greek shipyard's presence in one of the fastest-growing international markets for shipbuilding and defense projects.

At the same time, Salamis Shipyards is implementing an investment program to further upgrade its production infrastructure, with the aim of maintaining and enhancing its competitiveness.

These investments aim to support projects of increasing complexity and strategic importance across both the defense and commercial sectors.

The visit by the French Minister of Defense, the expansion of cooperation with Naval Group, and the opening to India, according to analysts, create a clear picture of the upgrading of the role of Salamis Shipyards.

This development strengthens Greece's position on the international stage in the shipbuilding and defense industries, with an emphasis on technology transfer, international cooperation, and the sector's long-term sustainability.

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