The first of the defense and intervention frigates (FDI) is beginning to take shape at the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient, Britany (France). Six months after its keel laying (December 16, 2021), the hull of “Amiral Ronarc’h” is fully assembled with some of its structures already in place. This first FDI, the next generation of “first rank frigate” for the French Navy, will be launched in the fall of 2022 for delivery scheduled for 2024.
Five FDI frigates intended will be ordered by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) for the French Navy. This program reinforces the technological lead of the French naval industrial base, and of Naval Group in particular.
On March 24, 2022, Greece and Naval Group signed the contracts for three FDI HN frigates, plus one optional, and their in-service support. Two FDI HN will be delivered in 2025 and the third one in 2026.
The FDI frigate is a 4,500-ton class high sea warship. Multipurpose and resilient, she features high level capabilities in all warfare domains. Strongly armed (Exocet MM40 B3C anti-surface missiles, Aster anti-air missiles, MU90 antisubmarine torpedoes, artillery), the frigate is able to embark simultaneously a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
