The order follows the purchase of a fourth frigate in December 2025 and completes the planned series of five vessels for the Marine nationale. The programme is intended to support the renewal and strengthening of France’s naval capabilities.
“With these orders for FDI frigates 4 and 5 for France, planned under the LPM, the Ministry of the Armed Forces renews its confidence in us to complete the series of defence and intervention frigates. We are thus fully mobilized to provide the French Navy with the means to achieve naval superiority, in the service of France’s sovereignty,” said Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Naval Group.
The fourth and fifth frigates will be built at Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient. Together with four vessels already ordered for the Hellenic Navy, total production of the class will reach nine ships.
The FDI frigate is designed as a first-rank combat vessel capable of operating across multiple warfare domains. It is equipped for anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface and asymmetric operations.
Naval Group said the platform combines versatility and advanced digital technologies to address current and emerging threats. These include modern submarines, supersonic missiles, cyber threats and complex asymmetric scenarios.
The frigate is designed to operate independently or as part of a naval task group in a wide range of environments. Its compact design allows deployment in both open seas and challenging conditions, including cold and warm waters.
Sea trials of the lead vessel, Admiral Ronarc’h, have demonstrated its performance in demanding conditions. According to Naval Group, the ship has operated in sea state 6 during trials in the Atlantic Ocean.
The design incorporates automation systems that enable operation with a reduced crew while maintaining operational capability. The company said the platform also offers high maintainability, supporting increased availability comparable to the French Navy’s FREMM frigates.
The FDI is built to NATO standards to ensure interoperability with allied forces. Naval Group said this allows seamless integration and connectivity within multinational naval operations.
