Naval Group officially handed over the French Navy’s firstFrégate de Défense et d’Interventionclass frigate,Amiral Ronarc’h(D660), at the port of Brest, marking a major step in renewing France’s surface combatant capabilities. The ship successfully completed a fourteen-week trial period including harsh sea conditions in the Atlantic Ocean. Naval Group is constructing five more FDI-class frigates at its Lorient shipyard, with four destined for France and one for the Greek navy. The second, namedHS Kimon, has commenced sea trials and will be delivered to Greece by late 2025. Additional deliveries are planned through 2026 and 2027. The frigate measures approximately 122 meters and can accommodate a crew exceeding 125 personnel. It includes a flight deck compatible with medium utility helicopters and unmanned aerial systems. The vessel’s weapons suite comprises naval autocannons, remote-controlled artillery turrets, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes. Powered by a CODAD propulsion system delivering around 43,000 horsepower, it achieves a cruising speed of 24 knots, a range of 5,000 nautical miles, and a 45-day endurance. This delivery signals a significant enhancement in French naval power and contributes to allied NATO maritime strength.
