Fregate de Defense et d Intervention (FDI)

Guided-Missile Frigate

France | 2024

"The FDI guided-missile frigate is forming the future of French and Greek naval strength in the Mediterranean Theater."

Official image from DCNS press release; Artist rendering.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one sea-going vessel design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for Fregate de Defense et d Intervention (FDI).

CODAD (COmbined Diesel-And-Diesel): 4 x Marine diesels developing 43,000 horsepower to 2 x Shafts astern.
Propulsion

27.0 kts
31.1 mph
Surface Speed

5,040 nm
5,800 miles | 9,334 km
Range

Structure
The bow-to-stern, port-to-starboard physical qualities of Fregate de Defense et d Intervention (FDI).

125
Personnel
Complement

400.2 ft
121.98 meters
O/A Length

58.0 ft
17.68 meters
Beam

17.0 ft
5.18 meters
Draught

4,500
tons
Displacement

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of Fregate de Defense et d Intervention (FDI).

1 x 76mm OTO-Melara "Super Rapid" turreted deck gun.
4 x 8-cell Sylver A50 Vertical Launching System (VLS) for MBDA Aster 15/30 Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs).
2 x 4-cell EXOCET MM-40 anti-ship missile launchers.
2 x EuroTorp MU90 twin-tubed torpedo launchers.
2 x 20mm Automatic cannons.

Air Arm
Available supported fixed-wing / rotary-wing aircraft featured in the design of Fregate de Defense et d Intervention (FDI).

1 OR 2 x Medium-lift navalized helicopters supported from the stern flight deck / hangar area; equipped for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) function.

Ships-in-Class (8)
Notable series variants as part of the Fregate de Defense et d Intervention (FDI) family line as relating to the FDI / Belharra-class group.

FRANCE: FS Amiral Ronarc'h (); FS Amiral Louzeau (); FS Amiral Castex (); FS Amiral Nomy (); FS Amiral Cabanier (); GREECE: Unnamed Ship #1; Unnamed Ship #2; Unnamed Ship #3

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/01/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The future of the French Navy involves the all-new, all-modern stealth-centric "Fregate de Defense et d'Intervention" ("Intervention Defense Frigate"). The class (originally born under the "Fregates de Taille Intermediaire" (FTI) program name) is of relatively compact dimension while being conventionally powered and equipped with the latest sensor and processing systems available. The type will rely on a broad mix of ballistic, missile, and torpedo weaponry to cover an equally broad range of sorties. The group is expected to come online in commissioned service in 2024 with five vessels earmarked for the French Navy. Recently (September 2021), the Hellenic Navy of Greece contracted for three of the type.

As planned, the group will displace in the 4,460 ton range and sport an overall length of 400.2 feet with a beam of 58 feet. Power is set to come from a COmbined Diesel-And-Diesel (CODAD) arrangement giving an output power of 43,000 horsepower driving 2 x Shafts astern. Each pair of diesels will drive power to a single shaft as needed, enhancing fuel economy and operating range while also playing up to the strengths of a compact footprint consistent with frigate warship design. Maximum speed, under ideal conditions, is estimated to reach 27 knots with range out to 5,000 nautical miles - giving these warships good "legs" in Blue Water environments.

Aboard will be a complement of 110 with an air arm contingent of approximately fifteen. Onboard supplies will allow the ship to sustain operations on-station for up to 45 days. Installed components include the Thales "SeaFire" multi-function Active, Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) radar and the Kingklip Mark 1115 hull sonar with CAPTAS-4 series towed array unit.

For the "multi-mission" approach, the vessels are slated to carry a mix of weapons led by the 76mm OTO-Melara "Super Rapid" turreted deck gun installed at the forecastle - beyond engaging enemy warships at range, the gun will provide a hard-hitting, accurate offshore bombardment solution. There will also be 2 x 20mm Automatic cannons under remote-control for close-in defense against inbound aerial targets. The missile suite will employ 4 x 8-cell Sylver A50 Vertical Launching System (VLS) housing the MBDA "Aster 15/30" series Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) and 2 x 4-cell EXOCET MM-40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles. Rounding out the armament systems will be 2 x Twin-tubed torpedo launchers supporting the EuroTorp MU90 family of torpedoes.

The class will also benefit from a rotary-wing capability made possible by the combination hangar-helipad deck section over the stern. Supported types will include the NHIndustries NH90 medium-lift helicopter equipped to handle the Over-the-Horizon (OtH) Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role as well as Search & Rescue (SAR) and at-sea resupply. Support for UAVs will also be integrated.

The general profile of the design will incorporate physical stealth features such as an unbroken hull line running from bow to stern. The turreted deck gun over the forecastle will be the primary protrusion at front with the bridge set low at the hull superstructure. The mast works are all enclosed and positioned aft and above the bridge. The smoke funnels are of an all-enclosed, low-profile design and set within the midships section which integrates the helicopter hangar leading out to the helipad over the stern.

Well-armed, fast, and powerful, the class is expected to considerably beef up French Navy capabilities in the Mediterranean and elsewhere as a general support platform or as part of a larger fighting task force.

The five named French vessels of the class are FS Amiral Ronarc'h, FS Amiral Louzeau, FS Amiral Castex, FS Amiral Nomy, and FS Amiral Cabanier - all to be constructed by the shipbuilding specialists of DCNS Lorient. Amiral Ronarc'h saw her keel laid down in November 2021 and is scheduled to be commissioned in 2024. Like other modern ships, the vessel is being economically built in separate modular components, these sections to be brought together during final assembly. The other four warships are set to follow online in 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, respectively.

Greece and its Hellenic Navy has become the first export customer for the FDI warship type. The country has contracted for three ships under the Belharra-class name with commissioning of the trio set for 2025-2026. The deal was announced in September 2021 as the two countries share mutual interest in stability of the Mediterranean where the Turkish Navy has clashed with Greece and the EU. Greek warships will have provision for 1 x 32-cell VLS housing the Aster-30 series SAM as well as launchers for the French "Exocet" (Block 3) anti-ship missile and MU90 torpedo family. Instead of supporting the NH90 helicopter, Hellenic ships will operate the Sikorsky MH-60R "Seahawk" helicopter for the shipborne ASW role. The three warships will be built by DCNS Lorient of France.

The design follows the La Fayette-class into service. These twenty vessels began service in 1996 and currently operate with the French, Saudi, Taiwanese, and Singaporean navies.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Operators
Global operator(s) of the Fregate de Defense et d Intervention (FDI). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national naval warfare listing.

Shipbuilder(s): Direction des Contructions Navales (DCNS Lorient) - France

[ France; Greece ]

1 / 1

Image of the Fregate de Defense et d Intervention (FDI)

Official image from DCNS press release; Artist rendering.

Going Further...
Fregate de Defense et d Intervention (FDI) Guided-Missile Frigate appears in the following collections:

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)