French Navy frigates to align with Hellenic Navy after Aster missile enhancement
Amiral Ronarc’h was handed over to the French Navy in October 2025. (Photo: Naval Group)
The FDI frigates will have an enhanced warfare capability that matches the configuration of ships ordered by Greece.
In a move to strengthen the French Navy’s anti-aircraft, anti-ship capabilities, the final two of the country’s five Defence and Intervention Frigates (FDI) are to be equipped with 32 Aster missile cells, up from the original 16 planned.
The new configuration, which was revealed in Italian media, was discussed in a parliamentary budget meeting by the French National Assembly’s Defence Commission. The new missile cell capacity will align the fleet more closely with the Hellenic Navy, which has opted for a 32-missile cell configuration in its order with Naval Group.
Ultimately, it is believed the first three frigates for
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base]()
How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base
Extending far beyond a four-submarine replacement programme, France’s ballistic missile submarine effort is a decades-long industrial effort designed to preserve the country’s ability to build and sustain nuclear-powered strategic platforms.
-
![Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition]()
Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.
-
![Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?]()
Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
-
![How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?]()
How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
