French future frigate programme passes twin milestones
Keel-laying ceremony for the first French Navy FDI frigate. (Photo: Naval Group)
In two important milestones for the Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) programme, Naval Group on 16 December laid the keel of the first vessel for the French Navy and powered up its integrated Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM) mast.
‘We aimed to reach these two important milestones for the FDI programme by the end of 2021,’ Naval Group CEO Pierre Eric Pommellet said during the ceremony, ‘and today we are proud to say that we have achieved our goal.’
The PSIM is 40m tall and weighs 150t. It is a multi-deck sensor mast designed for integration on Naval
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
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.