PARIS, — April 13, 2026 : France has approved a comprehensive upgrade to the close-range defense architecture of its frigate fleet, adding Mistral missile launchers, dedicated counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) jamming capabilities, and enhanced optronics for gun direction. The decision follows operational feedback from recent deployments, particularly in the Red Sea, where French vessels faced sustained drone threats.
The upgrades will be applied primarily to the five Defense and Intervention Frigates (FDI), also known as the Amiral Ronarc’h class, with integration planned during construction or through retrofits. The lead ship, Amiral Ronarc’h, was delivered in October 2025.
Under the program, each FDI frigate will receive Sadral or Simbad-RC Mistral launcher systems configured as two twin launchers (2 × 2). These systems employ MBDA’s Mistral short-range surface-to-air missile, an infrared-guided, fire-and-forget interceptor designed for close-in defense. The remotely operated Simbad-RC variant allows engagements without exposing crew. The Mistral 3 missile offers engagement ranges of up to approximately 8 kilometers and is optimized to counter low-signature targets such as drones and fast attack craft.
In parallel, the French Navy is fielding dedicated electronic warfare systems to provide non-kinetic countermeasures against unmanned threats. The Neptune and MAJES electronic warfare suites, developed by MC2 Technologies, are designed to disrupt drone navigation and communication links. Neptune functions as a high-power GNSS jammer, while MAJES DB6 targets UAV command frequencies. These systems have already been deployed operationally on FREMM-class frigates, including Languedoc, Alsace, and Lorraine, where they enabled successful UAV neutralization through jamming during Red Sea escort missions. Additional systems such as Safran’s Skyjacker C-UAS solution are also being introduced to expand electronic countermeasure options.
The upgrade package also includes improvements to gun direction through the integration of advanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems. The Safran Paseo XLR optronic suite, developed under urgent operational requirements, provides high-definition TV imaging, third-generation mid-wave infrared sensors, and optional short-wave infrared capability. The system supports continuous 360-degree surveillance and enhances target detection and identification in degraded visibility conditions.
These optronic enhancements are integrated with the ships’ fire-control systems, improving the accuracy and responsiveness of onboard weapons, including the 76 mm Oto Melara Super Rapid main gun and 20 mm Nexter Narwhal remote weapon stations. The upgrades enable more effective engagement of small, low-flying, or fast-moving unmanned threats and allow simultaneous direction of multiple gun systems via onboard ballistic computation.
The FDI frigates already feature a baseline armament of 16 Sylver A50 vertical launch cells for Aster 15 and Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, with the final two ships in the class to be constructed with 32 cells. Earlier units are scheduled for retrofit to reach the same capacity in the 2030s. Each vessel also carries eight Exocet MM40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles, two twin torpedo tubes for MU90 lightweight torpedoes, and remote weapon stations.
Similar counter-drone upgrades have been applied or tested on the Aquitaine-class FREMM multi-mission frigates and Horizon-class air-defense destroyers, forming a fleet-wide approach. The enhancements establish a layered defense structure combining medium- to long-range interception using Aster missiles, close-range kinetic engagement via Mistral systems and naval guns, and non-kinetic disruption through dedicated electronic warfare.
The modernization is being implemented under France’s current military programming law and reflects a shift toward addressing asymmetric aerial threats, including drone swarms and unmanned surface systems. While the upgrades apply broadly across the French Navy’s first-rank frigates, no detailed timeline has been disclosed beyond integration with the FDI program and planned retrofits extending into the 2030s.
——— End of Article ———
