France strengthens FDI frigates’ air defence by doubling their Aster missile capacity

By Martin Chomsky (Defence Industry Europe)

Air and missile defence | November 7, 2026

France strengthens FDI frigates’ air defence by doubling their Aster missile capacity

Photo: Naval Group.

France has finalised an order with Naval Group and MBDA to increase the Aster air defence missile capacity of its FDI frigates from 16 to 32 per ship. France’s defence procurement agency, the DGA, concluded the deal at Euronaval and said the extra missiles would help the ships protect naval forces in high-intensity combat.

France has ordered five of the multi-mission frigates as part of its naval modernisation programme. The first, Amiral Ronarc’h, was delivered to the French Navy in October 2025.

The French Navy already carries Aster missiles aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its Horizon-class and multi-mission frigates. The DGA said the higher missile capacity would better equip the FDI frigates to deal with a range of airborne threats.

The Aster 15 has a range of more than 30 kilometres and is designed to intercept aircraft and sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. The Aster 30 extends that range beyond 120 kilometres, and its most advanced variants can also defend against ballistic missiles.

air defence Aster FDI France French Navy Frigate mbda missile missile defence

Air and missile defence

France has finalised an order with Naval Group and MBDA to increase the Aster air defence missile capacity of its FDI frigates from 16 to 32 per ship. France’s defence procurement agency, the DGA, concluded the deal at Euronaval and said the extra missiles would help the ships protect naval forces in high-intensity combat.

France strengthens FDI frigates’ air defence by doubling their Aster missile capacity

Sweden will enter a new phase in its introduction of the Patriot air defence system as the Armed Forces confirm full operational capability at the turn of the year. This follows a final large-scale control test designed to reflect the conditions expected in a real operational environment.

RTX ramps up Tomahawk, AMRAAM and Standard Missile production under four Pentagon contracts

Lockheed Martin has announced its readiness to support the development of a comprehensive missile defence system

U.S. Space Force says it will work with Golden Dome to integrate satellite networks at a new operations center

Lockheed Martin says a future Flight II variant of Spain’s F-110 frigate would improve the class’s ability to counter aircraft and missiles. The proposed extension of the Bonifaz class would retain its digital architecture and its ability to counter submarines and surface ships.

Lockheed Martin and Navantia to integrate SPY-7(V)2 radar with Aegis on Spain’s F-110 frigates

Latest News

AIRO Group receives first U.S. drone order for Sky-Watch’s RQ-35 and RQ-70 from government buyer

AIRO Group Holdings said a U.S. government customer ordered two types of drones from the company, the RQ-35 Heidrun and RQ-70 Dainn, in its first U.S. drone sale.

November 7, 2026

RTX ramps up Tomahawk, AMRAAM and Standard Missile production under four Pentagon contracts

RTX is adding production capacity for Tomahawk, AMRAAM, SM-6 and SM-3 IB missiles under four multiyear Pentagon contracts worth about $70 billion combined.

November 7, 2026

U.S. Air Force and Space Force plan to use ‘super intelligence’ in 15 areas, including nuclear operations

The Department of the Air Force has assigned senior leaders to 15 mission areas to move what it calls “super intelligence” from testing into operational use.

November 7, 2026

Canada weighs initial order for eight Type 212CD submarines with options to buy four more

Canada is considering a firm order for eight Type 212CD submarines from German shipbuilder TKMS, with options for another four, CBC News reported.

November 7, 2026

Rheinmetall says price audit could delay Bundestag approval of Boxer deal until early 2027

Rheinmetall expects Germany’s parliament to approve the Arminius Boxer armoured vehicle contract in the first quarter of 2027, with a detailed price audit likely to push the decision past year-end.

November 7, 2026

Japan and U.S. complete Keen Sword 27 with eight live-fire drills and about 200 aircraft

Japan and the United States wrapped up Keen Sword 27 on Oct. 29 after 11 days of training with forces from seven other countries.

November 7, 2026

HMS Prince of Wales ends Arctic deployment in Oslo as Europe weighs security of NATO’s Northern Flank

British F-35 jets flying from HMS Prince of Wales intercepted a Russian Tu-95 Bear long-range bomber during a major NATO exercise off Norway, the Royal Navy said.

November 7, 2026

Britain’s Titania military satellite reaches orbit to support Earth observation

Britain’s Titania military satellite is in orbit, giving the armed forces another way to observe military activity on Earth, the Ministry of Defence said.

November 7, 2026

U.S. Air Force starts construction of Dyess’ first facility dedicated to B-21 Raider operations

The 46,000-square-foot building will be the first at Dyess dedicated solely to the new bomber, with secure workspaces and communications networks for planning and preparing strike missions.

November 7, 2026

U.S. Space Force says it will work with Golden Dome to integrate satellite networks at a new operations center

The U.S. Space Force is setting up an operations center to coordinate satellite networks from different providers and direct data where it is needed most.

November 7, 2026

Northrop Grumman’s Lake Charles facility to become certified depot for U.S. C-130 Hercules fleet

Northrop Grumman’s Lake Charles facility in Louisiana has been selected as a certified maintenance depot for the U.S. C-130 Hercules fleet.

November 7, 2026

BWX Technologies CEO says Fort Campbell is first in line for a rail-shippable 22-megawatt microreactor

BWX Technologies has begun work on a project to supply a 22-megawatt nuclear microreactor to Fort Campbell, the first U.S. Army base slated to receive the company’s reactor under the Janus program.

November 6, 2026