The new defense and intervention class unit expands the French program launched in 2017 and reinforces the bet on multi-mission ships designed for high-intensity warfare, air defense, anti-submarine warfare and the fight against asymmetric threats.
The Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) ordered Naval Group the fifth defense and intervention frigate, known by the acronym FDI, marking a new stage in the modernization process of the French Navy. According to the official press release from the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, the order was formalized on March 31, 2026.
The FDI program, led by the DGA since 2017, has been designed to strengthen French surface forces with first-rate, versatile ships supported by advanced technologies. The initiative gained momentum after the delivery of the first unit of the class, theAmiral Ronarc’hto the French Navy on October 17, 2025. The ship is already engaged in long-term missions, while the remaining deliveries are planned between 2027 and 2032.
According to the statement, the FDI frigates were designed to operate in multiple operational scenarios. Among the planned missions are anti-ship warfare, anti-aircraft defense, anti-submarine warfare, combating asymmetric threats, cyber defense and special forces projection. The French approach aims to have buildings capable of operating in complex and high-intensity environments, by combining combat capability, tactical flexibility and massive data processing within a single platform.
The planned weapons package for the class includes anti-ship missiles Exocet MM40 B3cAster 15 and Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, MU90 torpedoes as well as 20 mm and 76 mm artillery. The frigates can also carry a helicopter and a drone simultaneously, in addition to accommodating a special forces detachment with two command boats.
Another strong point of the project is its digital architecture. The IDF has a cyber-secure, redundant data center to support ship conduct and combat system operation. The model also includes a specific post dedicated to combating asymmetric threats, such as mini-drones and suicide boats, separate from the operations center responsible for other combat areas.
In the area of sensors, the frigate brings together all aerial sensors in a single mast, ensuring permanent 360-degree surveillance. The ship also stands out as the first in the French Navy equipped with Thales’ SEAFIRE fixed panel radar, as well as sonars and other latest generation sensors intended for anti-aircraft and surface defense.
The French government also highlights that the FDI has already established itself as a success on the international market, being recognized by client countries for its high level of performance. The new order not only strengthens the renewal of the French fleet, but also the strategic weight of the program for the naval defense industry in France.
+ Broad Arrow auction: more than 30 iconic cars and historic collectible models
Source and image: Ministry of the Armed Forces / Naval Group. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
