DCNS floats FREMM frigate Bretagne
DCNS is nearing delivery of the FREMM Bretagne frigate to the French Navy, with the vessel floated at the company’s Lorient, France facility on 16 September.
A total of six FREMM frigates are on order for the French Navy, with delivery due to complete by mid-2019.
The vessels have been ordered by OCCAR as part of a larger programme that also called for DCNS to construct and deliver two FREMMs for the Royal Moroccan Navy and the Egyptian Navy. These vessels – Mohammed VI and Tahya Misr - were delivered in January 2014 and June 2015 respectively.
FREMM Bretagne is the fifth vessel for France. Three FREMMs have already been delivered, and – in addition to Bretagne – a further two are currently under construction. FREMM Auvergne will start sea trials at the end of September 2016, and assembly is set to begin shortly for FREMM Normandie.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule
The Royal Australian Navy has finally commissioned the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – more than three years behind schedule – highlighting the programme’s delays, design compromises and ongoing industrial restructuring.
-
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
-
US Navy foresees additional delays in the Columbia-class programme
After estimating that the first Columbia-class submarine would be delivered 16 months late, the US Navy has recently confirmed that an additional month will be required to complete its construction.