Thousands of people in Thessaloniki lined up for hours over the weekend just to step aboard the Hellenic Navy's newest w...

Thousands of people in Thessaloniki lined up for hours over the weekend just to step aboard the Hellenic Navy's newest warship, the frigate Kimon. The Kimon (F-601), Greece's first Belharra-class frigate, docked at the city's Pier A on Friday 23 October as part of the Oxi Day national holiday celebrations, and the public response was overwhelming. By Sunday 25 October, wait times had climbed past three hours, according to Radio Thessaloniki, and organisers were forced to shut the queue to new arrivals ahead of schedule. Families with children, school groups, and visitors of all ages showed up from the morning of Saturday 24 October, making it clear the turnout far exceeded what anyone had planned for. Those who made it aboard were escorted by crew members and came away visibly moved, describing pride in what the Hellenic Navy now has in its arsenal. The Kimon is a serious piece of hardware. It stretches 122 metres, displaces more than 4,500 tonnes, and carries Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles alongside Exocet anti-ship missiles, with systems covering air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and electronic surveillance. The French-designed FDI HN class frigate was set to remain open to the public through Tuesday 27 October, with dedicated access hours for schools and general visitors. Greece acquiring a warship like this, and Thessaloniki turning out in those numbers to see it, says something about the moment the country finds itself in. #HellasDefense #GreekNavy #OxiDay