Frégate de défense et d'intervention

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FTI1 Domenjod 20102016 OCT 2016 011 Blank background.jpg
2016 model of a Frégate de défense et d'intervention
Class overview
NameFrégate de défense et d'intervention (FDI)
BuildersNaval Group
Operators French Navy
Preceded by La Fayette class
Cost
  • €2.1 billion (2017) for five units (R&D=€1.7bn, Total program cost for France=€3.8bn)
  • €420 million (2017) per unit
Built2018+
In commission2024+
Planned5
Building1
General characteristics
TypeGeneral purpose frigate
Displacement4.460 t (4.390 long tons)
Length122 m (400 ft 3 in)
Beam17.7 m (58 ft 1 in)
Propulsion
SpeedMaximum: 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Range5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Endurance45 days[1]
Complement110, excluding air crew detachment of approx. 15
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Aircraft carried1 NH90 helicopter equipped with torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles, and/or heavy machine gun; and SDAM UAV[1][2]

The Frégate de défense et d'intervention (FDI); English: Frigate for defence and intervention) (previously named Frégates de taille intermédiaire (FTI); English: Frigates of intermediate size)) is a French military program to design and create a planned class of frigates to be used by the French Navy. At the moment, the program consists of five ships, with commissioning now planned from 2024 onwards. The frigate-type has subsequently been identified as a "Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention" (FDI)[3] with the lead ship being named Admiral Ronarc'h. First steel was cut in October 2019 beginning construction on the lead unit.[4] The lead ship was projected to be laid down in November 2021.[5]

History[]

The Intermediate Frigate (FTI) program responds to the need for a fleet of fifteen first-class frigates and allows the French Navy to operate in a crisis zone, as recommended in the White Paper on Defense and National Security of 2013. These frigates join the ten examples of the FREMM multipurpose frigate (Aquitaine) class and Horizon class.

Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced the launch of the program on 29 May 2015 at the naval aviation base in Lann-Bihoué (Ploemeur, Morbihan). A total of five ships are planned for production, with delivery of the first taking the place within the time period originally planned for the last three planned Aquitaine-class frigates. In 2021 it was reported that work on the second and third frigates in the series would be accelerated.[1]

The FTIs, of a contained size, would better correspond to the demands of the export markets according to the Direction générale de l'armement and also make it possible to maintain the development and production capacities of the French shipyards.

These ships will supersede the La Fayette-class frigates ship for ship, in the role of first rank frigates. Ultimately, it is anticipated that the FDI class will replace the La Fayette class. In the interim, a modernization of three vessels in the La Fayette class is being undertaken to extend their useful lives into the early 2030s.

According to Admiral Bernard Rogel and the Direction générale de l'Armement, the FDI are being endowed with significant anti-aircraft capabilities with active antenna radar and fixed planes, anti-submarine means (helicopter and towed sonar ), and would have a displacement of 4,000 to 4,500 tonnes (3,900 to 4,400 long tons).

The French Defence Ministry announced the attribution to DCNS of a contract for the development and construction of five intermediate-size frigates (FTIs) intended for the French Navy on 21 April 2017.[6] The new frigate, to be named Amiral Ronarc'h, will be equipped with electronic systems and sensors developed by Thales[7] and will be equipped with Aster 30 missiles from MBDA Aster 15/30;[6]

  • The SEA FIRE all-digital multi-function radar with four fixed antennas, which will meet the requirements of a broad range of missions, from ship self-defence to extended air defence, and can deploy MBDA Aster 15/30; first SEA FIRE radar delivered for integration in first FDI unit in April 2021.[8]
  • The compact version of the towed-array sonar, delivers the same ultra-long-range detection performance as the original version of CAPTAS-4 with 20% lower weight and a footprint almost 50% smaller, claimed to be the best in its class by Thales.
  • The Aquilon integrated digital communications system, and an IFF (Identification Friend of Foe) associated with the SEA FIRE radar
  • The SENTINEL system, an advanced digital electronic warfare system built around a modular architecture.

Ships[]

Italics indicates estimated date

Admiral Ronarc’h class
Number Ship Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
DCNS Lorient November 2021[5] 2024[1] Steel cut on ship modules[4]
2025[1] Ordered[1]
2025[1] Ordered[1]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "France accelerates the FDI frigates program". navyrecognition.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  2. ^ Vavasseur, Xavier (9 June 2020). "France Speeds Up UAV Procurement For French Navy As Part Of Industry Recovery Plan". navalnews.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Les frégates de défense et intervention (FDI)". https:defense.gouv.fr. 6 April 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Mackenzie, Christina (25 October 2019). "Naval Group starts construction on France's newest frigate". Defense News. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Vavasseur, Xavier (13 November 2020). "Photos: Naval Group Launches 'Lorraine', Its Final FREMM Frigate". navalnews.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "The intermediate-size frigate programme: DCNS is pleased to have been informed by the French Defence Ministry of a contract attribution" (in French). Naval Group. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Thales high-tech systems on board French Navy's future medium-size frigates". Thales Group. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Thales delivers Sea Fire Radar for French Navy FDI". navyrecognition.com. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
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