The first of five Amiral-Ronarc'h-class frigates (Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention, FDI) for the French Navy has left the state-owned Naval Group shipyard in Lorient and arrived for the first time in its future home port of Brest.

Launched in 2017, the FDI programme aims to equip the French Navy with a modern surface fleet of 4,500-tonne multi-purpose frigates. The first steel cut took place in 2019, the "Amiral Ronarc'h" (D 660) was launched in 2022 and has been undergoing sea trials since 2024. The plan is for the ship to undergo the navy's approval process, starting in October.

This is followed by the four sister ships: "Amiral Louzeau" (D661), "Amiral Castex" (D 662), "Amiral Nomy" (D 663) and "Amiral Cabanier" (D 664). All units have an advanced digital architecture and protection against cyber threats. The FDI frigates are designed for air defence as well as surface and anti-submarine warfare in high-intensity environments, including the ability to deploy special forces. The helicopter landing deck can accommodate a 10-tonne helicopter (e.g. NH90) and an unmanned aerial vehicle weighing up to 700 kilograms.

With a length of 122 metres and a width of 18 metres, the type ship offers space for 125 crew members and 28 embarked persons. With its diesel propulsion (CODAD, Combined Diesel and Diesel), the frigate reaches a speed of up to 27 knots (50 kilometres/hour) and is equipped with Exocet anti-ship missiles, Aster surface-to-air missiles, MU90 torpedoes, RAM and naval guns. The ship class offers an extended sea endurance of 45 days, which significantly exceeds the autonomy of conventional frigates of 30 days.

The ships of the Amiral Ronarc'h class are to gradually replace the outdated La Fayette class frigates, which are only slightly smaller at 3,800 tonnes. NATO partner Greece has ordered three of the export version (Belharra class). This size of ship may also be suitable for Germany; it does not always have to be gigantic and therefore expensive. The frigate 126 (Niedersachsen class) displaces over 10,000 tonnes and will not be available in the near future.

kdk, TheDefencePost