Naval Group has delivered the French Navy’s firstFrégate de Défense et d’Intervention(FDI) warship,Amiral Ronarc’h(D660), at the naval base in Brest, Brittany, fulfilling a key milestone in a 2015 program to modernize France’s surface fleet. After extensive sea trials in the Atlantic, the frigate demonstrated robust performance even in rough seas. The program includes the construction of five additional FDI ships at Naval Group’s Lorient shipyard through 2029—four for France and one for Greece. The second ship,HS Kimon, is undergoing sea trials and is expected to be delivered to the Hellenic Navy by the end of 2025. Subsequent deliveries will follow in 2026, with another French vessel slated for 2027. Each FDI frigate spans roughly 122 meters, houses more than 125 personnel, and features a landing pad for a medium utility helicopter and unmanned aerial systems. The vessel is equipped with an array of weapons, including naval autocannons, remote turrets, anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles, and lightweight torpedoes. Its propulsion system is a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) configuration generating about 43,000 horsepower, offering speeds of 24 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles, with endurance up to 45 days. The FDI program is a cornerstone of France’s naval modernization and NATO interoperability efforts.
