It is the first time that a FLF (frégate légère furtive – stealth light frigate) will conduct continuous operations off France’s Western coast coast. The first-in-class ship, La Fayette, is one of the three vessels that have been upgraded with new systems.
According to the Marine Nationale, the frigate will be dedicated to patrolling, surveillance:
“Maritime defense, surveillance of maritime space, policing on the high seas – the La Fayette frigate will be carrying out these missions all summer long in the Atlantic Ocean.”
The move is also significant because the four Le Triomphant-class SSBNs (ensuring France’s sea-based nuclear deterrent) are also based bear Brest. Thanks to their sonar upgrade, the FLF will now be able to secure the underwater approaches for SSBN movements in and out of the area.
This temporary change is explained due to ageing D’Estienne d’Orves-class patrol ships (also known as Avisos or PHM) which are gradually decommissioned, and which are originally dedicated to these missions. Another factor is the delay in the induction of France’s new generation of frigates, the new FDI.
“At the end of the summer, in order to continue our Atlantic missions, a La Fayette-class frigate will take over from the PHM offshore patrol vessels. These long-planned temporary locations will enable us to reinforce our resources on the Atlantic seaboard for short periods, pending the arrival of new OPV”.
Marine Nationale
It is understood that La Fayette-class ships will alternate until the arrival of the new class of OPVs with the Patrouilleur Hauturiers program and the FDI program.
The first FDI ‘Amiral Ronarc’h’ sea trials will start from September and should last about 1 year and be delivered by end of 2025. As for the first OPV, it is scheduled to arrive in 2026.
About Patrouilleur Hauturier OPVs
The 2024-2030 French military planning law calls for ten new generation OPVs to be in service by 2035, with a first delivery planned for 2026. These OPVs will replace the venerable Avisos (known as PHM in the French Navy) based in Brest and Toulon, as well as the Flamant-class patrol vessels (PSP) based in Cherbourg.
The French defense procurement agency (DGA) ordered on 17 November 2023 seven OPVs out of ten.
The Patrouilleurs Hauturiers OPVs will have a displacement of about 2,400 tons. As previously reported by Naval News, the initial requirements called for a displacement of around 2,000 tons. The vessels can accommodate up to 84 personnel (crew + passengers) and have a range of 6,000 nautical miles. They will accommodate the next generation RHIBs of the French Navy (EDO 4G and ETRACO NG) and HIL / Guépard Marine (H160M) helicopter. The panoramic bridge offers a 360° view on the surroundings of the vessel.
The vessels will feature modern sensors such as the Bluewatcher hull mounted sonar, NS50 surveillance radar and IFF – friend/enemy identification system. They are also expected to be fitted with the new Rapidfire naval gun system by Nexter and Thales. Naval Group will supply the SETIS-C combat management system and the Shipmaster surface ship automated operating system.
