The French Ministry of the Armed forces accelerates the FDI frigates programme and supports Naval Group’s activity in Lorient site. Credit: Naval Group.

The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) has notified Naval Group of the order for two first defence and intervention (FDI) frigates.

The order was announced during French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly’s visit to Naval Group’s Lorient facility.

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According to Naval Group, the FDI acceleration programme will support the activity of the company’s Lorient site.

Naval Group also builds surface ships, including the FREMM multi-mission frigates, and Gowind corvettes at this site.

Naval Group will build five FDI 122m-long multi-purpose ships under the order.

Construction of the first ship started last year and is expected to be delivered in 2024.

Naval Group chairman and CEO Pierre Eric Pommellet said: “We are honoured by the confidence of the Ministry of the Armed Forces. It is a strong message for local jobs and the preservation of our very unique skills, but also to international navies that could be interested in this frigate.

“We will mobilise all our industrial and technological excellence to meet the new deadlines.”

The 4,200t and 121m long FDI frigates will be able to conduct anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) or special forces projection missions.

The frigates will also be able to address new threats such as cyber-attacks and asymmetric threats.

The vessels will be equipped with an integrated four fixed panels radar on a single mast for 360° surveillance, and launchers to fire various anti-aircraft missiles.

They can also carry a helicopter and a 700kg class drone.

In October 2019, Naval Group cut steel for the French Navy’s FDI frigate during a ceremony at its facility in Lorient.