LORIENT / PARIS, — April 2, 2026 : France has formally placed an order for its fifth and final Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI), marking the completion of a key surface combatant program under the country’s 2024–2030 military planning law. The order was issued by the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) to Naval Group, with construction to take place at the company’s upgraded shipyard in Lorient.
The vessel, to be named Amiral Cabanier (hull number D664), is scheduled for delivery in 2032 and will join the French Navy (Marine Nationale) as part of the Amiral Ronarc’h-class frigates, intended to replace the aging La Fayette-class fleet.
Fleet Completion and Production Status
With the latest order, France confirms a five-ship FDI fleet. The program timeline reflects a phased production approach:
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D660 Amiral Ronarc’h — ordered April 2017; delivered October 17, 2025; currently on long-term operational deployment
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D661 Amiral Louzeau — ordered March 2021; launch expected in Q2 2026
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D662 Amiral Castex — ordered March 2021; under construction
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D663 Amiral Nomy — ordered December 2025; construction pending
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D664 Amiral Cabanier — ordered April 2026; delivery planned for 2032
The lead ship, Amiral Ronarc’h, is presently conducting a long-duration deployment across the North Sea, North Atlantic, and Mediterranean. This deployment, often referred to as a check-down or long cruise, is designed to validate systems and operational readiness. According to its commanding officer, full operational entry is expected between summer and the end of 2026.
All vessels are being built at Naval Group’s Lorient facility, which has undergone modernization to support parallel construction. The yard is now capable of producing up to two frigates per year simultaneously, as demonstrated by concurrent assembly of French and export units.
Design, Displacement, and Operational Scope
The FDI is a 4,500-ton, 122-meter-long first-rank frigate designed for multi-domain, high-intensity naval warfare. Its mission set includes:
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Anti-air warfare (AAW)
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Anti-surface warfare (ASuW)
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Anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
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Cyber defense and electronic resilience
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Asymmetric threat countermeasures
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Special forces deployment
The platform integrates Exocet MM40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles, MBDA Aster 15 and Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, MU90 torpedoes, and naval artillery systems including 76 mm and 20 mm guns. It is capable of simultaneously operating an NH90 NFH helicopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and a special forces detachment equipped with two commando boats.
Digital Architecture and Sensor Suite
A defining feature of the FDI class is its fully digital, cyber-secured architecture. Each vessel incorporates two redundant onboard data centers hosting combat and platform systems, ensuring operational continuity even under cyber attack conditions.
The class is the first in the French Navy to deploy the Thales SEAFIRE radar, an all-digital, fixed-panel active electronically scanned array (AESA) system. Installed on a single integrated mast, the radar uses four fixed panels to provide continuous 360-degree coverage.
The ships also employ advanced sonar systems, including a compact variant of the CAPTAS-4 towed-array sonar, enhancing anti-submarine detection capabilities.
In addition, the FDI introduces a dedicated station for managing asymmetric threats such as unmanned systems and fast attack craft. This station operates independently from the main Combat Information Center (CIC), allowing simultaneous handling of conventional and unconventional threats.
Expanded Air Defense Capability
A key evolution in the FDI program is the increase in vertical launch system (VLS) capacity.
The first three ships—Amiral Ronarc’h, Amiral Louzeau, and Amiral Castex—are equipped with two Sylver A50 VLS modules, providing 16 missile cells for Aster 15 and Aster 30 interceptors.
Following approval by the French National Assembly’s Defense Commission, the fourth and fifth ships—Amiral Nomy and Amiral Cabanier—will be constructed with four Sylver A50 modules, doubling capacity to 32 cells.
This enhancement increases the vessels’ ability to counter saturation attacks and moves the class closer to an area air-defense role. Discussions are ongoing between the DGA, the French Navy, and industry partners to retrofit the first three ships to the 32-cell configuration.
Industrial Output and Delivery Schedule
The first FDI hull was laid down in December 2021 and launched in November 2022, before delivery in October 2025.
Under the current schedule, multiple ships for both France and export customers are expected to be delivered before 2030. The remaining French vessels—Amiral Louzeau, Amiral Castex, Amiral Nomy, and Amiral Cabanier—will enter service progressively between 2027 and 2032.
Export Program and International Interest
The FDI design has secured export success with the Hellenic Navy. Greece has ordered four vessels, known as the Kimon class. The first ship, HS Kimon, was delivered in December 2025, and construction of subsequent units—including Themistocles—is ongoing at Lorient alongside French vessels.
The enhanced 32-cell VLS configuration aligns the French Navy’s later ships with the export standard. Naval Group continues to promote the FDI design to several international customers, including Sweden, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.
Program Significance
The completion of the five-ship FDI program represents a central component of France’s naval modernization strategy. By combining digital architecture, advanced sensors, and expanded air-defense capacity, the FDI class is positioned to replace legacy frigates while supporting both national and allied maritime operations over the coming decades.
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