Naval News takes you aboard the FDI Amiral Ronarc’h as the next generation frigate of the French Navy (Marine Nationale) is conducting sea trials off the coast of Brittany in February.
In this exclusive video, the French Navy and shipbuilder Naval Group granted Naval News full access to the ship so you may discover what makes the FDI a first rank, advanced and fully digital surface combatant.
01:05 – Commanding Officer’s initial feedback regarding the sea trials
02:15 – The main quality of the FDI according to the Commanding Officer
03:35 – FDI sea-keeping qualities for North Atlantic, Red Sea, South China Sea
05:38 – What capabilities the FDI will bring to the French Navy
08:43 – Why Naval Group started the FDI program
10:20 – Asymmetric warfare bridge: A true innovation
14:37 – Inside the PSIM panoramic sensor and intelligence module
15:40 – Inside the combat information center CIC
18:04 – Anti Air Warfare (AAW) capabilities of the FDI
20:22 – Electronic Warfare (EW)
21:25 – Anti-surface warfare (ASuW)
22:17 – Anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
22:44 – Sonar suite and CAPTAS-4 VDS
25:10 – Torpedoes aboard the FDI
27:35 – Flight deck and helicopter capabilities
28:40 – Data center
30:44 – Damage control and survivability
32:10 – Propulsion and IPMS
About FDI frigate
As previously reported by Naval News, the FDI frigate Amiral Ronarc’h carried out her first sea trials in October.
The keel laying of the first FDI took place in December 2021 and the launch in November 2022. The next five ships in the series (three for the Hellenic Navy and two for the French Navy) are still expected be delivered before 2030.
A total of five vessels are set to be delivered to France (three hulls already on order, the remaining two ships will be ordered later on). In addition, three frigates are currently under construction for Greece, with an option for a fourth unit which could be enforced soon.
Lastly, France is among four countries down-selected for an ASW frigate requirement in Norway. Naval Group is pitching the FDI to the Nordic country, as well as to Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
Technical specifications:
- displacement: 4,500 tons
- length: 122 meters
- beam: 18 meters
- max. speed: 27 knots
- autonomy: 45 days
- operational availability: 3,500 hours per year
- accomodation: 125-persons crew + 28 passengers
- aviation facility: 10 ton-class helicopter, VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
The main weapon systems of the FDI are:
- Non-lethal weapon systems
- 16 Aster surface to air missiles developed by MBDA
- 8 Exocet MM40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles developed by MBDA
- MU 90 torpedoes developed by Naval Group
- 76 mm gun
- 2 Narwhal 20mm remote weapon stations
- 4 torpedo tubes
- CANTO counter measures developed by Naval Group
