A new Horizon Class frigate, named Chevalier Paul, has entered into service with the French Navy to provide air cover for task forces against aerial threats, including supersonic anti-ship missiles.

The second new-generation frigate has been built as part of the Franco-Italian Naval Horizon programme to replace missile frigates Suffren and Duquesne.

Chevalier Paul will be primarily used in fleet air defence and will participate in Operation Harmattan, as part of the UN mission in Libya.

The frigate is equipped with vertically launched ASTER missiles and an anti-air weapons system to counter missiles threats.

The ship can be used for high-intensity operations as well as interventions in crisis areas due to its electromagnetic discretion and the ability to detect and decoy missiles.