Belharra Frigates: All Greek Navy Ships to Be Equipped with Advanced ECM Systems

All frigates being built in France for the Hellenic Navy will be equipped with advanced Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) systems. According to OnAlert.gr, Thales Group, responsible for developing the intervention system, is in the final testing phase, paving the way for integrating the ECM into the Greek Belharra-class frigates. The system, known as Virgilius-IEWS (Integrated Electronic Warfare System), is manufactured by Italy’s ELT GROUP for Thales. This system will form part of the SENTINEL electronic warfare suite, including the ESM (Electronic Support Measures) system, creating an integrated electronic warfare system. Described as ‘ALL-IN-ONE,’ the Virgilius-IEWS can perform all functions within a single processing unit, incorporating passive antennas and ECM transmitters. It is designed to detect, classify, and recognize emissions while countering a wide range of threats. The system can be installed on fixed and rotating wing platforms, naval surface and submarine platforms, and ground systems. Each ECM system for the Greek frigates is estimated to cost between 20-25 million euros per ship. The same system has been proposed to the French Navy, which shows interest similar to the development of their FDI frigates. Negotiations regarding the inclusion of this program in the contract for the fourth Belharra frigate have been completed, and the program was recently approved by the Greek authorities. The total cost, including additional software systems, reaches 983 million euros. The first Greek frigate, ‘Kimon,’ is expected to be delivered by the end of 2025, with sea trials scheduled for summer. Successful tests of the first French Belharra frigate ‘Amiral Ronarc’h’ have increased interest from other countries such as Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Indonesia.