France has confirmed the procurement of a fifth Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) frigate from Naval Group. The vessel, to be named FS Amiral Cabanier (D664), will be a 4,500-ton multi-role warship equipped with a fully digital architecture that supports continuous upgrades without extensive physical modifications, along with integrated cyber protection systems.
The acquisition is part of France’s military programming law (LPM), which structures defense spending in phased increments. The order for the fifth frigate was finalized in March 2026, following the purchase of the fourth vessel in December 2025.
Construction of the French Navy’s FDI frigates is underway at Naval Group’s Lorient shipyard, which is also building four additional FDI vessels for Greece, the program’s first international customer.
Introduced in 2017, the FDI program represents a cornerstone of France’s naval modernization strategy. The lead ship, Amiral Ronarc’h, was delivered in October 2025 after being launched in 2022 and completing sea trials beginning in 2024.
Each frigate measures 122 meters in length with an 18-meter beam and accommodates a crew of 125 personnel, along with facilities for medium helicopters and unmanned aerial systems. Designed for multi-domain operations, the ships are equipped with Exocet MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles, remote-controlled 20 mm weapons, Aster air defense missiles, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, and a 76 mm main gun for surface engagements.
The vessels have a top speed of 27 knots and can remain at sea for up to 45 days, exceeding the typical 30-day endurance of conventional frigates.
