March 8 (Reuters) - Greece hopes to wrap up talks and sign a deal for the purchase of Bergamini class frigates from Italy by April, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said in an interview released on
Greece Set to Finalize Italian-made Bergamini Frigate Deal by April 2024
Greece's Naval Expansion and Defense Procurement Plans
Progress on Bergamini Frigate Negotiations
March 8 (Reuters) - Greece hopes to wrap up talks and sign a deal for the purchase of Bergamini class frigates from Italy by April, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said in an interview released on Sunday.
Background of Greece-Italy Naval Cooperation
High-ranking officials from Greece and Italy last year signed memorandums for naval cooperation, opening the way for the acquisition of two FREMM frigates by Athens with an option for two more.
Details of the Pending Agreement
"We hope that negotiations with Italy will be concluded and that we will have signed (a deal) for the acquisition of 2+2 frigates by April," Dendias told a Greek newspaper.
Frigate Capabilities and Upgrades
Dendias said Athens was working to ensure the frigates could also carry the new-generation ELSA missile.
Broader Defense Investments
Multi-Year Defense Spending Plan
Greece plans to spend about 28 billion euros as part of a multi-year defence plan that includes the purchase of a fourth Belharra frigate from France and new submarines as it tries to keep up with historic rival Turkey.
Context: Regional Security and Rivalry
(Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou, Editing by Louise Heavens)
