The FDI (frégate de défense et intervention or defense and intervention frigate) is a 4,500 metric ton vessel with an overall length of 120 meter. Its reversed bow gives it a longer waterline length to better hold a speed of up to about 27 knots achieved by the Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) engines. It can sail 5,000 nautical miles before needing to be refuelled and will be able to stay at sea for up to 45 days. The aft helicopter deck is designed for an NH90 helicopter. Its weapons include the MU90 torpedo, MBDA’s Aster 15 and 30 missiles and Nexter’s 20mm Narwhal gun.
The French military program law has earmarked funds for five of these ships to be ordered by 2025 by which time the first two will have been delivered. They will join the eight FREMMs and two Horizons, bringing the total number of France’s first-rank frigates to 15. The Admiral Ronarc’h (pronounced Ronar) will be delivered to the French Navy in 2023 but, because it is the first of class, sea trials will take longer than they will for the subsequent four ships (Admiral Louzeau, Admiral Castex, Admiral Nomy and Admiral Cabanier). The navy expects the ship to be pronounced operational in early 2025.
The French military program law has earmarked funds for five of these ships to be ordered by 2025 by which time the first two will have been delivered. They will join the eight FREMMs and two Horizons, bringing the total number of France’s first-rank frigates to 15. French Navy will be delivered to the French Navy in 2023 but, because it is the first of class, sea trials will take longer than they will for the subsequent four ships (Admiral Louzeau, Admiral Castex, Admiral Nomy and Admiral Cabanier). French Navy expects the ship to be pronounced operational in early 2025. The FDIs are designed to counter traditional threats from other ships, from aircraft and from submarines, but also more 21st-century cyber and asymmetrical threats.
In order to speed up manufacturing and meet the tight handover deadline, the ship’s mast with its radars, cameras, and battle system, will be manufactured separately from the rest of the vessel and then mounted onto the almost-finished hull. The Sea Fire multifunction 4 fixed panel radar, the digital RESM (radar electronic support measure) and the CESM (communications electronic support measure), the 360-degree observation and surveillance system and the new version of Naval Group’s SETIS combat system can all be tested and integrated into the mast long before the hull itself is finished. Admiral Ronarc’h is the first ship to be equipped with this new SETIS system.
