French Navy frigate gap closes as La Fayette-class upgrade programme nears completion
The La Fayette-class upgrade project was approved by the DGA in May 2017 to ensure that the French Navy continued to have enough operational frigates in its inventory for the next decade. (Photo: US Navy)
The modernisation programme for three of the French Navy’s five La Fayette-class frigates will ensure the service maintains a minimum force of 15 frigates and destroyers ahead of the introduction of the new new Admiral Ronarc’h-class (FDI) frigates.
The French Navy will have more surface combatants available to it ahead of the launch of new Admiral Ronarc’h-class (FDI) frigates enter service through to 2030 after extending and modernising the life of its three La Fayette-class frigates.
The third ship in the class, FS Aconit (F 713), started sea trials in October 2023 and the project has been scheduled for completion by the end of the year. The move will allow the French Navy to maintain a minimum force of 15 frigates and destroyers until the introduction of the FDI frigates will allow that number to increase slightly.
According to a spokesperson
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities]()
US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities
The USCG has been increasing efforts to accelerate the process to develop, procure, deploy and sustain autonomous and counter-uncrewed systems across its fleet.
-
![Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win]()
Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win
A fighting force such as the Royal Navy must inevitably focus on its core capabilities, platforms and readiness. But to avoid unexpected outcomes and costly oversights, a complex organisation like this needs to be underpinned by sound enterprise-level risk management principles and systems.
-
![Defending the Fleet: Naval air defence in the drone era (podcast)]()
Defending the Fleet: Naval air defence in the drone era (podcast)
In an era of swarming drones, proliferating missiles and saturation attacks, naval air defence must combine cutting-edge effectiveness with low cost per intercept. Israel’s Rafael is applying its long expertise to help navies adapt to emerging threats, while looking to a future of laser technology – and beyond.
