Naval Group has delivered the French Navy’s first Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) warship, Amiral Ronarc’h (D660), in Brest, Brittany, as part of a 2015 program to modernize France’s surface combat fleet. The vessel underwent extensive sea trials, including final evaluations in the Atlantic, demonstrating its ability to operate effectively in challenging conditions.
Naval Group will construct five more FDI frigates at its Lorient shipyard through 2029 — four for France and one for Greece. The second, HS Kimon, is already in sea trials and is expected to be delivered to the Hellenic Navy by the end of 2025. Additional vessels will follow in 2026, with another French frigate planned for 2027.
Each FDI frigate is part of a broader European effort to modernize naval forces, preserve industrial expertise, and strengthen NATO cooperation. The 122-meter (400-foot) ships are armed with naval autocannons, remote artillery turrets, anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles, and lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes. They accommodate over 125 personnel and feature a landing pad for medium utility helicopters and unmanned aerial systems. Powered by a CODAD (combined diesel and diesel) engine producing roughly 43,000 horsepower, the vessels can reach speeds of 24 knots (28 mph/44 km/h), have a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 km/5,753 mi), and an endurance of up to 45 days.
