Naval Group has launched the French Navy’s first defense and intervention frigate (FDI), the Amiral Ronarc’h, in the western French seaport of Lorient.
Ordered by the French Defence Procurement Agency, the vessel is set to undergo sea trials as part of its ongoing development next year.
The expected delivery of the frigate is scheduled for 2024.
The launch ceremony was attended by French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Greek Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos.
“We are proud to be here today to mark this new milestone in the industrial production of the first defence and intervention frigate for the French Navy,” Naval Group CEO Pierre Eric Pommellet said.
“These latest generation ships bring together the best of French naval know-how.”
“The Navies operating them with benefit from a high-performance, resilient ship, capable of dealing with threats that are constantly evolving, thanks in particular to the use of the most modern digital technologies.”
France ordered its first two FDIs in March 2021. It was followed by the construction of the Amiral Ronarc’h the same year.
Overall, five warships will be delivered to France by 2030.
Defense and Intervention Frigate
According to Naval Group, the 122-meter (400 feet) FDIs are being built with a digital architecture to enable “continuous adaptation to technological and operational evolutions.”
The FDI is the first French frigate to feature native protection against cyber threats, with two data centers virtually operating its applications.
It will comprise a dedicated platform for asymmetric warfare against small and close maritime threats such as booby-trapped boats.
An FDI can deploy two special forces commando boats and receive aircraft such as the NH90, Joint Light Helicopter, and drones.
The vessel has a capacity of 125 personnel, a displacement of 4,500 tons, and a maximum speed of 27 knots (50 kilometers/31 miles per hour).
It is armed with Aster anti-air missiles, MU90 antisubmarine torpedoes, Exocet MM40 B3C anti-surface missiles, artillery, and includes the Thales Seafire radar.