France has finalized an order with Naval Group and MBDA to double the Aster air defense missile capacity of its FDI frigates, increasing the number of missiles each ship can carry from 16 to 32.
The country has ordered five FDI frigates as part of efforts to modernize its surface fleet. The first ship, Amiral Ronarc’h, was delivered in October 2025, while the remaining four are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2032.
French defense officials had previously said that the final two frigates would be built with 32 vertical launch cells instead of the standard 16, while the first three would be retrofitted to accommodate the additional missiles, according to Naval News.
“This order enhances the lethality and resilience of the French frigate fleet in a context marked by increasingly severe threats,” the French defense procurement agency said.
“This ongoing effort by France to continuously adapt its capabilities to the evolving strategic environment strengthens the ability of these frigates to engage in high-intensity conflicts.”
Aster Air Defense Missiles
Following the upgrade, the frigates will carry both Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles, enabling them to engage aerial threats ranging from low-flying anti-ship missiles to high-speed aircraft and cruise missiles.
The Aster family uses a PIF-PAF control system that combines aerodynamic fins with direct thrust vectoring to improve maneuverability and precision during interceptions. The missiles are also deployed aboard the French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, Horizon-class air-defense destroyers, and multi-mission frigates.
The Aster 15 has an engagement range of more than 30 kilometers (19 miles), while the Aster 30 can reach targets over 120 kilometers (75 miles) away. Advanced variants of the Aster 30 also offer ballistic missile defense capabilities.
FDI Frigate
The FDI, short for Defense and Intervention Frigate, is a multi-role, data-centric warship designed to operate across a range of maritime environments.
Each ship has a displacement of approximately 4,500 tons, measures 122 meters (400 feet) in length, and has a beam of 18 meters (59 feet).
They can reach speeds of up to 27 knots (31 miles/50 kilometers per hour) and remain at sea for approximately 45 days. Each vessel has a crew of around 125.
In addition to the Aster missiles, the FDI carries Exocet MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles and MU90 torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare.
Naval Group has also proposed an enlarged variant of the frigate featuring a 9-meter (29-foot) hull extension to accommodate additional weapons and capabilities.
At Euronaval 2026 in Paris, company representatives said the expanded design could accommodate additional VL MICA NG launch cells, double anti-ship missile capacity from eight to 16, or carry loitering munitions, laser weapons, and drone interceptors.
The extra space could also support expanded command capabilities.
