These builder trials, conducted by a mixed crew of Naval Group engineers and French Navy sailors, evaluate the ship for approval that it is ready for delivery to the Navy.
Two more FREMM frigates with enhanced anti-air warfare capabilities will follow the first six ones configured for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). But Normandie will actually be the second French Navy FREMM to deploy longer range surface to air missiles (ASTER 30 by MBDA), after the FREMM Bretagne.
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 Normandie is the sixth in a series of eight, after Aquitaine, Provence, Languedoc, Auvergne and Bretagne. It will be followed between 2019 and 2023 by Alsace and Lorraine. The last two FREMMs will have enhanced air defense capabilities (FREMM DA).
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…
