According to information published by Enikos, the ship has effectively become a source of spare parts to support the operation of the Navy's three remaining MEKO frigates: Hydra, Spetsai, and Psara.
Sources report that many components have been removed from Salamis to keep the other vessels operational. This situation raises concerns about the overall operational readiness of the Greek fleet and the balance of naval power in the region.
There are growing concerns that as the remaining frigates undergo future maintenance, they too may enter a similar "donor" phase—highlighting a deeper structural vulnerability within the fleet.
Modernization Plans Scaled Back
The Hellenic Navy initially planned to modernize all four MEKO 200HN frigates under a fleet upgrade program. However, recent developments suggest a significant reduction in scope. During a Navy High Council meeting held on 12 December 2024, a decision was reportedly made to reduce the fleet structure by 15%, potentially retiring several ships and submarines.
Under the revised modernization plan, only two MEKO frigates may receive upgrades, while one could be repurposed as a training vessel and another—Salamis—permanently serve as a spare parts source. Though this proposal had previously been dismissed, it is now reportedly back on the table for reconsideration.
New Belharra Frigates Not Enough to Fill the Gap
Greece is set to receive three new Belharra-class frigates, but experts note that these additions alone are insufficient to compensate for the structural downsizing. To reach the target of a 10-ship surface fleet, Greece would need to acquire three more frigates and fully modernize the remaining MEKO vessels.
Estimates suggest the cost of such a plan could reach €6 billion. Some reports indicate that to reduce costs, the Greek Navy may pursue limited modernization of just two MEKO frigates and procure two new FREMM-class frigates from Italy.
Commissioned in 1999, Salamis is named after the historic Battle of Salamis, a symbolically important reference in Greek naval tradition. However, its current state points to broader systemic challenges facing the Hellenic Navy’s surface fleet.
