Floreal-class frigate Vendémiaire, deployed in Asia-Pacific for a few months, made a port call in Singapore on February 14. The French Ambassador to Singapore, HE Marc Abensour, discussed with Commander Alain Gaborit, Commander of the Vendémiaire, in Changi Naval Base. France maintains a high level of operational activity in Asia through regular naval and air deployments in order to contribute to regional security and stability. Singapore is an important support point and a key partner in the implementation of its strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
Warm welcome from Colonel Ng Xun Xi, Deputy Fleet Commander, to the Commander of the French frigate Vendémiaire that called in Singapore, at the beginning of her operational deployment in Asia-Pacific. French Defence Attaché to Singapore and French Liaison officer to the IFC also participated in the call. This meeting illustrates the longstanding relationships and the great trust between the Republic of Singapore Navy and the French Navy (Marine nationale).
Vendémiaire is a Floréal-class frigate (French: frégate de surveillance) of the French Navy. She is the fifth ship of the class, and is named after Vendémiaire, the first month of the Republican Calendar. The ship was constructed at Saint-Nazaire, France, in 1992 and entered service in 1993. Vendémiaire is stationed in the French Pacific territories for patrol duties. Vendémiaire has a standard displacement of 2,600 tonnes (2,600 long tons) and 3,000 tonnes (2,950 long tons) at full load.
Vendémiaire was armed with two Exocet MM38 surface-to-surface missiles in launchers situated centrally atop the midships superstructure. However, at the end of the missile’s life cycle in 2014. The ship also mounts one 100 mm CADAM turret with the Najir fire control system located forwards and two 20 mm modèle F2 guns situated in atop the aft superstructure. The ship is equipped with DRBV-21C (Mars) air sentry, Racal Decca RM1290 navigation and Racal Decca RM1290 landing radars along with ARBG-1A Saïgon communications intercept, CSF ARBR 16A radar intercept electronic surveillance systems and two Dagaie decoy systems.
