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Defence and intervention frigate

(Redirected from Belharra-class frigate)

The defence and intervention frigate (French: Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention) or FDI,[9] also known as the Frégate de Taille Intermédiaire (English: Medium-Size Frigate) or FTI, is a class of French frigates. As of February 2022, five ships have been ordered for the French Navy, with the lead ship being named Amiral Ronarc'h, and an additional three, more heavily armed vessels, for the Hellenic Navy, with the lead ship named Kimon.

Amiral Ronarc'h, the first Frégate de défense et d'intervention, fitting out at Lorient shipyard December 2022
Class overview
NameFrégate de défense et d'intervention (FDI)
BuildersNaval Group, Lorient[1]
OperatorsFuture operators
 French Navy
 Hellenic Navy
Preceded byLa Fayette class
SubclassesKimon class
Cost
  • €2.1 billion (2017) for five units (R&D=€1.4bn, Total program cost for France=€3.5bn)
  • €420 million (2017) per unit
Built2019+
In commission2024/25+
Planned5 for the French Navy, 4 for the Hellenic Navy. (9 total)
Building5
Completed1
General characteristics
TypeGeneral purpose frigate or destroyer
Displacement4.460 t (4.390 long tons)
Length122 m (400 ft 3 in)
Beam17.7 m (58 ft 1 in)
Propulsion
SpeedMaximum: 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Range5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Endurance45 days[2]
Complement110, excluding air crew detachment of approx. 15
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Aircraft carried1 NH90[7] or Guépard Marine (H160M) helicopter[7] equipped with torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles, and/or heavy machine gun; and SDAM UAV (French vessels);[2][8] 1 MH-60R Seahawk plus Schiebel Camcopter S-100 in Greek Service.

First steel was cut in October 2019, beginning construction on the lead unit.[10] The lead ship was laid down on 17 December 2021.[11] Commissioning had been planned from 2024 onwards. However, in 2024 it was reported that delays in the fitting out and sea trials of the lead vessel of the class, Amiral Ronarc'h, would likely push commissioning and full entry into service of first ship into 2025.[12]

History

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The Intermediate Frigate (FTI) program was a response to the requirement for fifteen first-class frigates to allow the French Navy to operate in a crisis zone, as recommended in the White Paper on Defense and National Security of 2013. This would see the five FTI ships join the ten FREMM multipurpose frigates (Aquitaine class) and Horizon class.

Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced the launch of the five-ship program on 29 May 2015 at the naval aviation base in Lann-Bihoué. In 2021 it was reported that work on the second and third frigates in the series would be accelerated[2] with first steel cut for modules of the second ship of the class envisaged for October.[13]

The FTIs, of a contained size, would better correspond to the demands of the export markets according to the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA; English: Directorate General of Armaments) and also make it possible to maintain the development and production capacities of the French shipyards.[citation needed]

These ships will incrementally supersede the La Fayette-class frigates, in the role of first rank frigates, replacing all five frigates of that class by 2035.[14] In the interim, a modernization of three vessels in the La Fayette class is being undertaken to extend their useful lives into the early 2030s. In November 2022 it was announced that the first two FDI frigates (Amiral Ronarc'h and Amiral Louzeau) would be based at Brest.[15]

The FDI will have with significant anti-aircraft capabilities with active antenna radar and fixed planes, anti-submarine capabilities (helicopter and towed sonar), and will have a displacement of 4,000 to 4,500 tonnes (3,900 to 4,400 long tons).[citation needed]

The French Defence Ministry announced the award of a contract to DCNS for the development and construction of five intermediate-size frigates (FTIs) intended for the French Navy on 21 April 2017.[16] The frigates will be equipped with electronic systems and sensors developed by Thales[17] and Aster 30 missiles.[16]

  • The SEA FIRE all-digital multi-function radar with four fixed antennas, which will meet the requirements of a broad range of missions, from ship self-defence to extended air defence, and can deploy MBDA Aster 15/30. The first SEA FIRE radar was delivered for integration in the first frigate in April 2021.[18]
  • The compact version of the CAPTAS-4 towed-array sonar, delivers the same ultra-long-range detection performance as the original version of CAPTAS-4 with 20% lower weight and a footprint almost 50% smaller.[citation needed]
  • The Aquilon integrated digital communications system and an IFF (Identification Friend of Foe) associated with the SEA FIRE radar.
  • The SENTINEL system, an advanced digital electronic warfare system built around a modular architecture.
  •  
    2016 model of a Frégate de défense et d'intervention
  •  
    The FDI in planned French Navy of the late 2030s: a Bâtiment ravitailleur de forces conducts simultaneous underway replenishment with the PA-NG nuclear aircraft carrier and with a Frégate de défense et d'intervention.
  •  
    Computer-generated image of a Replenishment at sea (RAS) of the frigate Amiral Cabanier, a planned Frégate de défense et d'intervention (as of 2022) of the French Navy.
  •  
    Computer-generated image of a launch of an Aster-30 missile

Exports

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Greece

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Main article: Kimon-class frigate

In September 2021, Greece signed an agreement with France's Naval Group to purchase three FDI HN frigates with an option for one more for the Hellenic Navy as part of a $5 billion defence package. The FDI HN export version is also known as the Belharra-class frigate.[19][20][21]

It was reported that the Hellenic Navy ships would eventually carry a more extensive weapons fit, capable of carrying up to 32 Aster-30 air defence missiles. This will permit the Hellenic Navy to operate three ships with 32 air defence missiles plus 21 point defence missiles in a Mk31 21-cell launcher of RAM Block 2B[7] surface-to-air missiles, 8 Block 3 Exocet anti-ship missiles, 2 dual launchers MU90 torpedoes and SYLENA Mk1 decoy launching systems (DLS) for CANTO anti-torpedo decoys. Two of the vessels, destined for the French Navy in 2025, now will be delivered to the Hellenic Navy. The date of the construction agreement was anticipated to be at late 2021 or early 2022.[22]

In December 2021 it was reported that an agreement for construction had been signed by France and Greece[23] with the actual contract for the construction of the ships having been signed on 24 March 2022.[24][25] In February 2022, documents released by the Greek Parliament indicated that initially the first two frigates for the Hellenic Navy would be equipped similar to their French counterparts in a "Standard-1" configuration (with 16 Sylver A50 cells). By 2027 the two ships would be upgraded to a "Standard-2" configuration with 32 A-50 cells as well as with the RAM Block 2B. The third Hellenic Navy frigate would be built from the outset in the "Standard-2" configuration.[26]

According to the Hellenic Navy, the ships will be named after three great ancient Greek admirals: Cimon (Greek: Κίμων, romanized: Kimon), Nearchus (Νέαρχος, Nearchos) and Phormio (Φορμίων, Formion).[27] These names had previously been used for the ex-US Charles F. Adams-class destroyers in service with the Hellenic Navy from 1991 to 2004.

In 2024 it was decided to adjust the production sequence by reassigning the fourth and fifth vessels in the production series. The fourth vessel (the previous Amiral Louzeau - D661), previously assigned to France, would instead be allocated to Greece, while the fifth ship in the series (the previous Formion - F603), previously assigned to Greece, would be destined for the French Navy instead. Each vessel would be renamed accordingly.[28] It was unclear how this reallocation might impact the original intent to have the third Greek FDI built in an enhanced "Standard-2" configuration.

Indonesia

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In May 2024, France offered Indonesia the FDI in a full multi-mission configuration. The offer encompasses the potential for local manufacturing, the inclusion of Aster 15/30 missiles, the SETIS® Combat Management System, an AESA radar, a guarantee free from ITAR restrictions, and a construction period of 36 months. Depending on Indonesia’s requirements, the FDI can be equipped with various Tactical Data Link networks, such as Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, and Link Y. During the presentation to Indonesia, one of the slide shows a variant of the Belharra with 32 cells SYLVER with Aster 15/30 missiles, CIWS, 76 mm gun, 8 MM40 Block 3 Exocet missiles. A thorough educational and training program has also been suggested for the TNI AL staff who will be in charge of operating the ship. The offer stated that that the initial FDI for Indonesia could be built in France within a span of 36 months. PT PAL Indonesia, would undertake the construction of subsequent FDIs locally.

Interestingly, akin to the approach with Scorpène Evolved, France is also receptive to the concept of complete local production starting from the first ship.[29]

Participation of Greek companies

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As of January 2023, 23 contracts had been signed with Greek companies participating in the frigates' construction, with 10 more during the same year.[30][31] Such contracts include construction of pre-outfitted blocks in Salamis Shipyards and shipment to France for assembly (starting from the third Greek frigate, and constructed for both Greek and French frigates).[32]

Ships

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Italics indicates estimated date

NOTE: The French Navy does not use the term "destroyer" but rather classifies these vessels as "first-rate frigates". Nevertheless, they are identified with the NATO "D" designation which ranks them in the destroyer class, instead of ranking them with an "F" designation as frigates. As of 2023, all French warships are having their hull numbers removed in order to reduce the ability to identify individual ships.[33][34]

Number Ship Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
  French Navy
D660 Amiral Ronarc'h DCNS Lorient 17 December 2021[35] 7 November 2022[36][7][37][38] 2024/25[7][2] Sea trials[39]
D661 Amiral Louzeau [fr] 2027[40][22][41] Under construction; steel cut on ship modules July 2023[42][43]
D662 Amiral Castex [fr] 2028[44] Under construction; steel cut October 2024[45]
D663 Amiral Nomy 2031[46] Ordered
D664 Amiral Cabanier 2032[47] Ordered
  Hellenic Navy
F-601 Kimon[27] DCNS Lorient 21 October 2022[37] 28 September 2023 (technical launch);[48] 4 October 2023 (official ceremony)[49] early 2025[22] Fitting out; steel cut on ship modules October 2021[50]
F-602 Nearchos[27] late 2023[51] 19 September 2024[52] late 2025[22] Fitting out; steel cut on ship modules July 2022[53]
F-603 Formion[27] 15 April 2024[54] early 2026[22][55] Under construction; steel cut on ship modules summer 2022[56][2][57]
F-604[58]/F-600[59] Themistokles[60][59] TBD Greek Prime Minister and MfD confirmed the Greek government's intentions to place an order for the fourth frigate[61][60]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Efinor livre une partie du mât de la quatrième frégate de défense et d'intervention (FDI)" (in French). 22 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "France accelerates the FDI frigates program". navyrecognition.com. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  3. ^ Mitsopoulos, Dimitris (9 May 2023). "Greece's New Greek FDI Frigates To Feature Decoy Launchers". Naval News. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  4. ^ Mitsopoulos, Dimitris (10 May 2023). "Greece's FDI HN Frigates: Naval Group Reveals New Details". Naval News. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  5. ^ "FTI Medium-Size Frigates". naval-technology.com. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  6. ^ Vavasseur, Xavier (28 September 2021). "Latest Details On The Deal Between France And Greece For 3 FDI Frigates". Naval News. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Groizeleau, Vincent (17 December 2021). "En présence des Grecs, la France met sur cale sa première FDI". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  8. ^ Vavasseur, Xavier (9 June 2020). "France Speeds Up UAV Procurement For French Navy As Part Of Industry Recovery Plan". navalnews.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Les frégates de défense et intervention (FDI)". defense.gouv.fr (in French). 6 April 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  10. ^ Mackenzie, Christina (25 October 2019). "Naval Group starts construction on France's newest frigate". Defense News. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  11. ^ "French Naval Group holds keel-laying ceremony for first FDI frigate". 17 December 2021.
  12. ^ Tanguy, Jean-Marc (11 July 2024). "La frégate La Fayette fera une première mission en Atlantique cet été". le Marin (in French). Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  13. ^ Groizeleau, Vincent (23 September 2021). "Naval Group lance la construction de la seconde frégate du type FDI". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  14. ^ Groizeleau, Vincent (27 June 2023). "FDI : la frégate Amiral Ronarc'h de retour à son quai d'armement". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  15. ^ Louédec, Mickaël (8 November 2022). "À Brest, trois frégates et des centaines de marins supplémentaires d'ici quelques mois". Ouest France (in French). Retrieved 8 November 2022.
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  49. ^ "Greece's first FDI HN frigate technically launched by l Naval Group". naval-news.com. 28 September 2023.
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  55. ^ Groizeleau, Vincent (22 March 2024). "FDI : la quatrième frégate, initialement prévue pour la France, est réattribuée à la Grèce". Mer et Marine. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  56. ^ Marchand, Chrismaël (22 October 2022). "Armées. Une frégate au nom du Cherbourgeois Bernard Louzeau, premier commandant du Redoutable". La Presse de la Manche (in French). Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  57. ^ Groizeleau, Vincent (22 March 2024). "FDI : la quatrième frégate, initialement prévue pour la France, est réattribuée à la Grèce". Mer et Marine. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  58. ^ "Hellenic Navy - 4th Greek Belharra and Scalp Naval missiles on the new frigates". Defense ReDefined. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  59. ^ a b "F-600 ΘΕΜΙΣΤΟΚΛΗΣ: Η 4η ελληνική FDI – Belharra αποκαλύπτεται". enikos.gr. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  60. ^ a b "Greece Initiates Talks for 4th FDI HN Frigate and Cruise Missiles". NavalNews. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  61. ^ "PM: Buying 4th frigate will not upend fiscal policy". ekathimerini. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
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