In the presence of Ministers of Greece and France, an Interstate Convention was signed, concerning the procurement of 16 EXOCET guided missiles, by GDDIA Director General, Major General Ioannis Mpouras, and the representative of MBDA, Annie Kristina Ramon.
On Monday, April 14, 2025, Greece signed an intergovernmental agreement with France for the procurement of 16 EXOCET MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles with land attack capability from MBDA. The Interstate Convention was officially signed in Athens by Major General Ioannis Bouras, General Director of the General Directorate for Defense Investments and Armaments (GDDIA), and Mrs Annie Kristina Ramon, representative of MBDA (missile systems), in the presence of the Greek and French Ministers of Defense, Nikos Dendias and Sébastien Lecornu, respectively. The signing took place during an official visit by the French delegation, underscoring the deepening strategic relationship between the two nations.
At noon, the two Ministers jointly visited the French frigate Alsace at the Port of Piraeus, Greece where they were briefed on its mission. Notably, Alsace was the first French warship that launched the latest generation of MBDA’s EXOCET missile back in 2023. Subsequently, the French Minister visited the Salamis Shipyards, where sections of the FDI frigates are being constructed for the Navies of both countries.
Naval News understands that the EXOCET MM40 Block 3C ordered from Greece are intended for the final pair of Roussen-class (Super Vita) fast attack missile craft (FACM)—HS Karathanasis (P78) and HS Vlachakos (P79)—which were commissioned in 2020 and 2022, respectively. These boats currently make use of Block 3 and the significantly inferior Block 2 missile variants, which were ordered for the first five vessels in the class. Note that the activation of the EXOCET MM40 Block 3C program was approved by the Hellenic Parliament on June 22, 2022, and in addition to the missiles, it includes Follow-On Support (FOS) services. The total estimated cost of the program amounts to €33 million.
Roussen-class FACM
The Roussen-class FACM, are derived from an extended version of the proven Vita design, which is also in service with the navies of Qatar and Oman. These vessels measure 62 meters in length, with a beam of 9.5 meters and a draft of 2.8 meters, displacing 668 tons at full load. They are capable of speeds exceeding 35 knots and have an operational range of 2,250 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 18 knots. Each ship operates with a crew of 45 personnel.
Despite their compact size, the Roussen-class FACMs are heavily armed. Their primary weapon is a OTO 76/62 Super Rapid naval gun, supported by eight EXOCET MM40 Block 2/3 anti-ship missiles. Air defense is provided by a 21-cell RAM surface-to-air missile (SAM) launcher. Additional armament includes two OTO Breda 30mm guns, two MG3 machine guns and decoy launching systems (DLS).
The first five vessels in the class are outfitted with early 2000s-era sensors and combat systems, including the Thales MW08 3D G-band surveillance radar, STING fire control radar (FCR), SCOUT MkII low probability of intercept (LPI) radar, MIRADOR Mk I electro-optical fire control system (EOS-FCS), DR3000 radar electronic support measures (R-ESM), and the TACTICOS combat management system (CMS). The final two vessels feature upgraded electronic systems, such as the Thales VIGILE 100 R-ESM and the STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 FCR. In the coming years, all ships in the class are expected to undergo a significant modernization program to enhance their electronic systems as needed.
EXOCET MM40 Block 3C
EXOCET MM40 Block 3c is the latest generation of MBDA’s EXOCET family of anti-ship missiles with land attack capability for integration on a wide variety of platforms including surface ships, submarines, fast jets, helicopters and coastal batteries. Since 2023, this missile has been progressively integrated into all first-rank frigates of the French Navy—including the FREMM, FDA/HORIZON, and FDI classes—either through upgrades of existing Block 3 missiles or via newly built units. The same missile was ordered from Greece in March 2022 to quip its Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates. Previous versions of EXOCET are in service with several navies around the world.
The Block 3C generation builds on the successive improvements made to EXOCET throughout its service. MM40 Block 3C includes all the characteristics for which EXOCET is renowned, in particular its all-weather capability and high flexibility of use. In addition, this latest missile benefits from new seeker technology and the development of new algorithms designed to meet the latest operational requirements of anti-ship warfare, in particular high-intensity combat in complex electronic warfare environments. The Block 3c version of the missile offers enhanced performance in terms of range, accuracy and resistance to countermeasures.
With a range of over 200 km (MBDA reports a 250km class range), the new Block 3C version adds a digital radio altimeter and a new homing device to the Block 3 version, designed to enhance the munition’s capabilities in the face of the major challenge posed by the widespread use of new-generation electronic countermeasures and stealth ships. The J-Band coherent seeker of Block 3C represents the latest technology in missile seekers: It brings robustness against all forms of electronic warfare jamming.
