Two more FREMM frigates with enhanced anti-air warfare capabilities will follow the first six ones configured for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). But Bretagne will actually be the first French Navy FREMM to deploy longer range surface to air missiles (ASTER 30 by MBDA).
Built at Naval Group shipyard in Lorient, Bretagne was launched in September 2016 and was delivered to the French Navy on July 18 2018. On August 30 2018, Bretagne left Brest naval base to begin its Long Term Deployment. This was the first mission which is used to test the vessel in extreme conditions and over several months in order to confront it to its future missions. During this deployment, Bretagne participated in many exercises with the allied navies. For example the Frigate took part to an ASW exercises off the United States or participated in the NATO exercise Trident Juncture off the coast of Norway.
Following three months of navigation in the North Atlantic, Bretagne returned to her base in Brest at the end of 2018. Now in active service, she joins the surface fleet of the French Navy and is preparing to take full part in operations.
In 2030, the French Navy will have fifteen first-line frigates including 8 FREMM, 2 air defense destroyers (Horizon-class) and 5 new generation FDI (Defense and Intervention Frigates). FREMM Bretagne is the fifth in a series of eight, after Aquitaine, Provence, Languedoc and Auvergne. It will be followed between 2019 and 2023 by Normandy, Alsace and Lorraine. The last two FREMMs will have enhanced air defense capabilities (FREMM DA).
About the Aquitaine-class FREMM:
The FREMM are new generation stealth vessels, versatile, enduring and flexible, equipped with advanced automation and therefore a reduced crew. The FREMM are designed for a wide range of missions such as the security of the oceanic strategic force (France’s naval deterrence with its SSBNs), the strike of land target with the naval cruise missile (MdCN), ASuW, ASW, AAW, the support of special forces, the protection and escort of a carrier strike group…
FREMM technical characteristics
- Total length: 142 metres
- Width: 20 metres
- Displacement: 6,000 tonnes
- Maximum speed: 27 knots
- Crew: 108 persons (including the helicopter detachment)
- Accommodation capacity: 145 persons
- Range: 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots
Main systems onboard: Herakles multi-function radar, CAPTAS-4 variable depth sonar, naval cruise missile, Aster surface to air missile, Exocet MM 40 anti-ship missiles, the MU 90 torpedoes, NH90 NFH helicopter…
