Naval Group has marked a significant achievement by delivering the French Navy’s first Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) warship, named Amiral Ronarc’h (D660), in the port city of Brest, Brittany. This handover is part of a strategic initiative launched in 2015 aimed at modernizing France’s surface combatants.
Prior to the official transfer, the Amiral Ronarc’h underwent extensive sea trials, including critical evaluations in the Atlantic Ocean where it showcased its operational capabilities in challenging conditions. This stage of testing served to validate the vessel’s performance and reliability.
The production of five additional FDI frigates is ongoing at Naval Group’s Lorient shipyard, with completion expected by 2029. Of these, four frigates are allocated for the French Navy, while one is designated for the Hellenic Navy in Greece. The second frigate, designated HS Kimon, has already commenced sea trials and is slated for delivery to Athens by the end of 2025. The subsequent two vessels are expected to follow in 2026, along with another ship for the French Navy anticipated for delivery in 2027.
These frigates are part of a broader strategy to not only modernize European naval forces but also to preserve industrial expertise and foster collaboration among NATO allies.
The FDI programm, developed as the successor to the FREMM-class frigates, is designed to provide enhanced flexibility and automation on the battlefield. Each frigate will support multi-mission operations that encompass air and sea defense, as well as anti-submarine warfare.
Equipped with cutting-edge radar systems, advanced sensors, and digital frameworks, the FDI ships are adept at detecting and neutralizing contemporary threats—ranging from stealth submarines to missile strikes and cyberattacks. Enhanced automation and smart monitoring capabilities allow for operations with smaller crews, optimizing maintenance schedules and extending their time at sea.
All FDIs are built in compliance with NATO standards, ensuring seamless interoperability with allied forces during international deployments.
Pierre Éric Pommellet, CEO and chairman of Naval Group, remarked on the significance of this delivery, stating, “The delivery of the Amiral Ronarc’h, the very first frigate in the FDI series, is a major milestone for 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, known as FDI, stretches to 122 meters (400 feet) and comes equipped with various munitions including naval autocannons, remote artillery turrets, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes.
The vessel can accommodate more than 125 personnel and includes a landing pad designed for a medium utility helicopter and unmanned aerial systems. It operates on a combined diesel and diesel or CODAD propulsion system, yielding approximately 43,000 horsepower, providing a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 kilometers) and a cruising speed of 24 knots (44 kilometers per hour), with an endurance of up to 45 days at sea.
