Following the launching of the Amiral Ronarc’h frigate at the end of 2022, and the launching of the two Hellenic Navy frigates HS Kimon in October 2023 and HS Nearchos on 19 September 2024, a new milestone in the FDI (defence and intervention frigates) programme was reached on 7 October 2024 in Lorient (France) with the start of the first sea trials of the first unit of the programme, commissioned by the Armament General Directorate (DGA) and intended for the French Navy.
Intended to be operated by the French Navy, FDI Amiral Ronarc’h has begun her first sea trials from the Naval Group site of Lorient, Brittany. This phase enables crews to get to grips with their future ship and to test all the systems and equipment in real-life situations. As the Amiral Ronarc’h is the first unit in the FDI programme, the feedback from her trials will benefit the other units ordered by the French Navy and the Hellenic Navy (Greece).
Unlike the initial tests usually carried out on frigates, these tests will go beyond the simple perimeter of navigation and propulsion, with tests also being carried out on the combat system in real conditions at sea.
FDI, the first innovative, digital and cyber-secure multi-role combat frigate
The FDI frigate is a multipurpose, resilient high-sea vessel capable of operating, alone or as part of a naval force, in all areas of combat: anti-ship, anti-air, anti-submarine, asymmetric threats and special forces projection. Bringing together the best of French naval technologies on a compact platform, the FDI is a powerful and innovative frigate, designed to cope with constantly evolving threats.
Designed and produced using the latest-generation of digital tools, they are also the first frigates to benefit onboard from a digital architecture that will enable them to adapt continuously to technological and operational developments. As a result, the FDIs will be able to deal with current and future high-spectrum threats, with 360° coverage in all frequency bands, and process an ever-increasing amount of data.
The FDI will also be the first French frigates to be natively protected against the cyber threat, with a redundant IT architecture based around two data centres that host, in a virtualised manner, a large proportion of the ship’s IT applications. In terms of operational innovation, the FDI is inaugurating the concept of a gateway dedicated to combating asymmetric threats. This system will make it possible to coordinate and lead the fight against small, close air and surface threats, in particular booby-trapped craft.
Powerfully armed (Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles, ASTER anti-aircraft missiles, MU90 antisubmarine torpedoes, artillery of various calibres), the FDIs intended for the French Navy can carry a heavy helicopter (10t class, such as the Caïman Marine) or the future Guépard Marine and an aerial drone, as well as deploying special forces with two commando boats. They are equipped with the new-generation Sea Fire radar with four fixed panels, developed by Thales, which, combined with the missile deployment system, gives them extended area defence capabilities.
Technical specifications
- Displacement: 4,500 tons class
- Length: 122 meters
- Width: 18 meters
- Speed: 27 knots
- Autonomy: 45 days
- Accommodation: crew of 125 + 28 passengers
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