Naval Group has delivered the French Navy’s first Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) warship in Brest, Brittany, as part of a 2015 initiative to modernize the service’s surface combatants.
The Amiral Ronarc’h (D660) completed extensive sea trials prior to handover, including final evaluations in the Atlantic Ocean, where it demonstrated its ability to operate effectively in rough conditions.
Naval Group will continue building five additional FDI frigates at its Lorient shipyard through 2029, four of which are for France and one for Greece.
The second, HS Kimon for the Hellenic Navy, already began sea trials and is scheduled for delivery to Athens by the end of 2025. Two more will follow in 2026, with another French vessel expected in 2027.
Each frigate is part of a broader effort to modernize European naval forces, maintain industrial expertise, and enhance cooperation among NATO partners.
‘Major Milestone’
Developed as the successor to Paris’ Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission or FREMM-class frigates, the FDI vessels gives France a more flexible and automated surface combat platform.
The new fleet is built for multi-mission operations, covering air and sea defense as well as anti-submarine warfare.
It integrates advanced radar, sensors, and digital systems to detect and counter modern threats such as stealth submarines, missiles, and cyberattacks, while automation and smart monitoring allow operation with a smaller crew, reducing maintenance needs and extending time at sea.
All FDIs are built according to NATO standards, ensuring full interoperability with coalition forces during international missions.
“The delivery of the Amiral Ronarc’h, the very first frigate in the FDI series, is a major milestone for Naval Group,” said Pierre Éric Pommellet, CEO and chairman of Naval Group.
“This new generation of top-of-the-range multi-purpose frigates will soon enter operational service and will help to strengthen the capabilities of our French Navy thanks to its exceptional capabilities, already demonstrated during sea trials.”
The Defence and Intervention Frigate
The FDI, directly translating to Defence and Intervention Frigate, is a 122-meter (400-foot) long system armed with naval autocannon, remote artillery turrets, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes.
It has the capacity for more than 125 personnel and has a landing pad for a medium utility helicopter and an unmanned aerial system.
The vessel is fitted with a combined diesel and diesel or CODAD engine with an output of about 43,000 horsepower for a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 kilometers/5,753 miles), a speed of 24 knots (44 kilometers/28 miles per hour), and endurance of up to 45 days.
