The new unit of the defense and intervention class expands the French program launched in 2017 and strengthens the commitment to multi-role ships designed for high-intensity warfare, air defense, anti-submarine warfare and combating asymmetric threats.
France’s Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) has ordered the fifth frigate of the defense and intervention type, known as FDI, from Naval Groupas another step in the modernization of the French navy. According to the official announcement from the Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans, the order was formalized on March 31, 2026.
The FDI program, which has been led by DGA since 2017, was created to strengthen the French surface forces with first-class, versatile ships supported by advanced technology. The initiative gained momentum after the delivery of the first unit in the class, Amiral Ronarc’hto the French Navy on October 17, 2025. The ship is already in long-term operations, while the remaining deliveries are scheduled between 2027 and 2032.
According to the announcement, the FDI frigates are designed to operate in multiple operational scenarios. The planned missions include anti-ship warfare, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, combating asymmetric threats, cyber defense and deployment of special forces. The French approach is to have ships that can operate in complex and high-intensity environments and combine combat capability, tactical flexibility and massive data processing in one platform.
The weapon pack for the class includes Exocet MM40 B3c anti-ship missiles, Aster 15 and Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, MU90 torpedoes and 20mm and 76mm artillery. The frigates can also carry both a helicopter and a drone at the same time and house a special forces unit with two command boats.
Another important element in the project is the digital architecture. The FDI ships are equipped with a cyber-secure and redundant data center which supports the ship’s operation and combat system. The design also includes a dedicated station to deal with asymmetric threats, such as mini-drones and suicide boats, separate from the operations center that controls other combat domains.
In sensors, the frigate gathers all air sensors in a single mast, ensuring continuous 360-degree surveillance. The ship is also the first in the French fleet to be equipped with the SEAFIRE radar with fixed panels from Thales, as well as sonars and other sensors of the latest generation for air defense and surface warfare.
The French government also highlights that FDI has already established itself as a success in the international market and is recognized by client countries for its high level of performance. The new order not only reinforces the renewal of the French Navy, but also the strategic importance of the program for France’s defense industry at sea.
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Source and image: French Ministry of Defense / Naval Group. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editors
