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FREMM multipurpose frigate
Nave Bergamini 3
Carlo Bergamini, the first Italian GP variant.
Class overview
Name: FREMM
Operators:

Civil and Naval Ensign of France Marine Nationale
Naval Ensign of Italy Marina Militare

Naval Ensign of Morocco Royal Moroccan Navy
Preceded by: Tourville-class (France)
Georges Leygues-class (France)
Lupo-class (Italy)
Maestrale-class (Italy)
Cost: €592m/unit[1](FY 2012)(France)
Built: 2007-
In commission: 2012-
Active: 4 (France 1, Italy 3)
General characteristics
Type: Frigate
Displacement:

France: 6,000 tonnes[2]

Italy: 6,670 tonnes[3]
Length:

France: 142 m (466 ft)

Italy: 144.5 m (474 ft)
Beam:

France: 20 m (66 ft)

Italy: 19.7 m (65 ft)
Draught: France & Italy: 5 m (16 ft)
Speed:

France: 27+ knots (50 km/h (31 mph))

Italy: 29+ knots (55 km/h (34 mph))
Range:

France: 6,000 nm (11,000 km (6,800 mi)) at 15 knots

Italy: 6,700 nm (12,300 km (7,600 mi)) at 15 knots
Complement:

France: 145

Italy: 200
Sensors and
processing systems:

France: Héraklès multi-purpose radar

Italy: EMPAR multi-purpose radar
Armament:

Anti-air missiles:
France: 16-cell SYLVER A43 VLS for 16× Aster 15 missiles
Italy: 16-cell SYLVER A50 VLS for 16× Aster 15/30 missiles

Guns:
France:Otobreda 76 mm SR gun
Italy:Otobreda 76 mm SR guns (ASW variant) 1× Otobreda 127mm and 1× Otobreda 76 mm SR guns (GP variant)

Anti-ship missiles:
France: 8× MM-40 Exocet block 3 anti-ship missiles
Italy: Teseo\Otomat Mk-2/A anti-ship missiles

Land-attack cruise missiles:
France: 16-cell SYLVER A70 VLS for 16× SCALP Naval land-attack cruise missiles

Anti-submarine warfare:
France: MU 90 torpedoes

Italy: MU 90 torpedoes (GP variant) MU 90 torpedoes and Milas (ASW variant)
Aircraft carried:

France:NH90

Italy:NH90 orNH90 and 1× EH101

The FREMM multipurpose frigate (French Frégate multi-mission or Italian Fregata multi-missione) is a class of frigate designed by DCNS/Armaris and Fincantieri for the navies of France and Italy. The lead ship of the class, Aquitaine, was commissioned in November 2012 by the French Navy. In France the class is known as the Aquitaine-class, while in Italy they are known as the Bergamini-class. Italy is buying two versions, a general purpose frigate and an anti-submarine variant; France hopes to buy an air-defence variant.

In 2007, Morocco ordered one anti-submarine variant of FREMM.[4]

Background[]

Three original variants of the FREMM were proposed; an anti-submarine variant (ASW) and a general-purpose variant (GP) and a land-attack variant (AVT) to replace the existing classes of frigates within the French and Italian navies. A total of 27 FREMM were to be constructed - 17 for France and 10 for Italy - with additional aims to seek exports, however budget cuts and changing requirements has seen this number drop significantly. The land-attack variant (AVT) was subsequently cancelled.

A third anti-air warfare variant of FREMM was proposed by DCNS in repose to French requirements for a new air-defence frigate, the new variant became known as FREDA ("FREgates de Défense Aériennes", "Air defence frigate"). This new French requirement was due to the third and fourth Horizon-class frigates being cancelled after the first two cost €1,350m each, but this decision left French Navy still in-need of replacements for its ageing Cassard-class air-defence frigates.[5]

As of 2009, the FREDA design features a more powerful version of the Héraklès radar and 32 cells of SYLVER A50 in place of the 16 cells of A43 and 16 cells of A70. The SYLVER A50 would allow it to fire the 120 km-range Aster 30 missile; the towed array sonar would not be fitted.[6]

At Euronaval 2012 DCNS showed a new concept called FREMM-ER for the FREDA requirement, again based on the FREMM, but specifically mentioning the ballistic missile defence mission as well as anti-air. FREMM-ER has a modified superstructure replacing Héraklès with the new Thales Sea Fire 500 radar, whose four fixed plates resemble those of the US Navy's AN/SPY-1.[7]

France[]

Original plans were for 17 FREMM to replace the nine D'Estienne d'Orves-class (A69) avisos and nine anti-submarine frigates of the Tourville class (F67) and Georges Leygues class (F70). In November 2005 France announced a contract of €3.5bn for development and the first eight hulls, with options for nine more costing €2.95bn split over two tranches (totaling 17).

Following the cancellation of the 3rd and 4th of the Horizon-class frigates in 2005 due to budgetary reasons, requirements for an air-defence derivative of the FREMM called FREDA were placed - with DCNS coming up with several proposals.[8] Expectations were that the last 2 ships of the 17 FREMM planned would built to FREDA specifications, however by 2008 the plan was revised down to just 11 FREMM (9 ASW variants and 2 FREDA variants)[5] at a cost of €8.6bn (~US$11.5bn).[1] The 11 ships would cost €592m (~US$800m) each, or €782m (~US$1,050m) including development costs.[1]

The 2013 White Paper on Defence and National Security reduced the number of FREMM frigates to enter service with the French Navy from 11 down to 8.[9] Current expectations are that there will be 6 ASW variants to replace the Georges Leygues-class frigates and 2 will be built to FREDA specifications to replace the ageing Cassard-class frigates.[10]

A decision on whether or not to build the remaining 3 FREMM will be made in 2016.

Italy[]

Planning assumptions for the Italian Navy were 10 FREMM (4 ASW variants and 6 GP variants) at a cost of 5.8 billion. FREMM will replace the Maestrale and Lupo-class frigates in service with the Italian Navy. As of 2013, the Italian government has approved funding for the first six FREMM to be delivered to the Italian Navy (4 ASW varians and 2 GP variants). In the 2013 Italian budget, the Italian government has laid-out he necessary financing for two more GP variants (FREMM 7 & 8) and the contract was awarded in September 2013.

Export[]

On 24 October 2007 it was announced that the Royal Moroccan Navy had ordered one FREMM to replace its Descubierta-class corvette.[11] The contract was signed on April 18, 2008 and construction of the Moroccan FREMM began in the summer 2008 with delivery expected in 2012 or 2013;[12] the Mohammed VI was launched in September 2011 and will be delivered on 25 November 2013.[13]

On 22 January 2009 the Hellenic Navy announced an order for six FREMM to replace an equal number of Elli-class frigates.[14] After the Greek government-debt crisis this was cut down to between two and four ships equipped with SCALP Naval, with France alleged to have offered them to Greece at no cost for the first five years. Germany called foul on this deal in October 2011[15] and no deal has been signed. On February 2013 though and during the formal visit of the President of France, François Hollande, in Athens, according to press reports an agreement which includes the long-term leasing of two FREMM frigates (the Normandie and Provence according to initial reports) to the Hellenic Navy has been reached.[16]

In April 2013, the French government showcased the FREMM class in Halifax with the hope of selling to the Royal Canadian Navy.[17]

Country-specific equipment[]

Common equipment[]

  • Otobreda 76 mm Super Rapid gun (on Italian version with Davide/Strales guided-ammunition)
  • MU 90 torpedoes
  • SLAT anti-torpedo system
  • NH90 helicopter, with capability for AW101, Cougar and Caracal
  • Thales UMS 4410 CL hull sonar
  • Thales UMS 4249 CAPTAS4 towed sonar (anti-submarine versions only)
  • Two Sigen RECM jammer
  • Two SOFRESUD Quick Pointing Devices "QPD"

French-specific equipment[]

  • 16 cells of SYLVER A43 VLS for Aster 15
  • 16 cells of Sylver A70 VLS for SCALP Naval cruise missile with a range up to 1000 km
  • MM-40 Exocet block 3, for naval and land attack
  • Three Nexter 20mm Narwhal remote weapon systems
  • NGDS decoy launcher
  • Héraklès radar
  • Terma Scanter 2001 radar[18]
  • Thales Artemis IRST
  • SETIS combat system
  • Sagem Najir fire control system for the 76mm gun
  • Samahé helicopter handling system

Italian-specific equipment[]

  • 144 m stretched hull[19]
  • 16 cells of SYLVER A50 VLS for Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles
  • Space reserved for Sylver A70 launchers for 16 SCALP Naval or similar cruise missile, but not fitted
  • Selex ES IRST SASS
  • Two Selex ES NA-25 DARDO-F fire control system for the 76mm cannon
  • Selex ES EMPAR active radar (MFRA).
  • Selex ES RASS (RAN-30X-I) surface radar (OTH)
  • LPI navigation radar Selex ES SPN-730 and two navigation radar GEM-Elettronica MM/SPN-753
  • Selex ES Athena combat system (CMS)
  • Selex ES SAAM-ESD extended area AAW combat system (for Aster 15 & Aster 30 missiles)
  • Two OTO Melara SCLAR-H DLS Multipurpose Rocket Launcher
  • 8 Teseo\Otomat Mk-2/A block 4, for naval and land attack
  • Two Oto Melara/Oerlikon 25/80 mm, remote weapon system, controlled by close CMS
  • Curtiss-Wright TC-ASIST helicopter handling system (for both helicopters)
  • WASS SNA-2000-I, Mine Avoidance Sonar
  • L-3 ELAC Nautik SeaBeam 3050, Multi-beam echo sounder
  • 11 m rigid-hulled inflatable boat fast release and recovery system[20]
  • ASW version : MILAS ASW missile
  • ASW variant: Otobreda 76 mm Super Rapid gun and a second Otobreda 76 mm Super Rapid gun on the hangar (both with Strales guided-ammunitions)
  • GP version : Otobreda 127/64 LW with Vulcano guided ammunition with a range up to 120 km, and AAHS (Automated Ammunition Handling System) with 350 rounds + 56 in turret and a second Otobreda 76 mm Super Rapid gun on the hangar (with Strales guided-ammunitions)

Ships of the class[]

Aquitaine-class[]

FREMM Mohammed VI - Lorient 2013-05

Mohammed VI, an Aquitaine-class FREMM of the Royal Moroccan Navy.

Flag of France France, Flag of Morocco Morocco
Pennant no. Type Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Homeport
D650 ASW Aquitaine 2007 29 April 2010 23 November 2012[21] Brest
701 ASW Mohammed VI 2008 14 September 2011 Expected 2013 Ksar es Seghir
D651 ASW Normandie 2009 18 October 2012[22] Expected early 2014 Brest
D652 ASW Provence 2010 18 September 2013 2015 Toulon
D653 ASW Languedoc 2011 Toulon
D654 ASW Auvergne 2012 Toulon
D655 ASW Alsace Toulon
D656 FREDA Bretagne Brest
D657 FREDA Lorraine Brest

Bergamini-class[]

Flag of Italy Italy[23]
Nave Bergamini

Carlo Bergamini, a Bergamini-class FREMM of the Italian Navy.

Pennant no. Type Name Laid down Launched[24] Commissioned Homeport
F590 GP Carlo Bergamini 4 February 2008 16 July 2011 29 May 2013 La Spezia
F591 ASW Virginio Fasan 12 May 2009 31 March 2012 December 2013 La Spezia
F592 ASW Carlo Margottini 21 April 2010 29 June 2013 February 2014 La Spezia
F593 ASW Carabiniere 6 April 2011 February 2015 La Spezia
F594 ASW Alpino 23 February 2012 February 2016
F595 GP Luigi Rizzo 5 March 2013 February 2017
F596 GP -Unknown-
F597 GP -Unknown-
F598 GP -Unknown-
F599 GP -Unknown-

See also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Projet de loi de finances pour 2013 : Défense : équipement des forces" (in French). Senate of France. 22 November 2012. http://www.senat.fr/rap/a12-150-8/a12-150-815.html#toc290. Retrieved 2013-11-07. 
  2. Caractéristiques
  3. Fincantieri, al via a Riva Trigoso i lavori per la sesta unità Fremm - Ship2Shore
  4. Morocco orders FREMM 2007
  5. 5.0 5.1 "FREMM : 11 frégates multi-missions pour la flotte française" (in French). 26 October 2008. http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/imprimer-article/55295. 
  6. "Frégates : Le point sur les futures FREDA" (in French). 12 October 2009. http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/imprimer-article/52591. 
  7. "DCNS to unveil new FREMM Frigate variant, updated BRAVE supply ship design at Euronaval 2012". Belgium: Navy Recognition. 4 October 2012. http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=716. 
  8. "FREMM : Supprimer des frégates, un non sens économique et stratégique?" (in French). 19 September 2007. http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/imprimer-article/58043. 
  9. "White Paper on Defense and National Security 2013" 29 April 2013 (in english)
  10. Projet De Loi De programmation Militarie 2014/2019 (in French) August 2013
  11. Accord conclu pour la vente d'une frégate française au Maroc | Mer et Marine
  12. La construction de la FREMM marocaine débute à Lorient | Mer et Marine
  13. Barreira, Victor (6 November 2013). "Morocco set to receive its FREMM frigate". http://www.janes.com/article/29636/morocco-set-to-receive-its-fremm-frigate. 
  14. ΑΠΟΚΛΕΙΣΤΙΚΟ: O Ε. Μεϊμαράκης ανακοίνωσε πρόγραμμα εξοπλισμών | DefenceNet.gr
  15. "Germans Question Contract : France to Sell Frigates to Greece in Controversial Deal". 17 October 2011. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germans-question-contract-france-to-sell-frigates-to-greece-in-controversial-deal-a-792189.html. 
  16. La Grèce va louer 2 frégates françaises
  17. French pitch new warships for next Canadian navy vessels - Politics - CBC News
  18. http://www.defenseworld.net/go/defensenews.jsp?n=Terma%20to%20deliver%20SCANTER%202001%20radars%20%20for%20the%20French%20FREMM%20program&id=2792
  19. R.I.D. Rivista italiana difesa, gennaio 2013
  20. R.I.D. Rivista italiana difesa gennaio 2013
  21. La Marine réceptionne la FREMM Aquitaine
  22. DCNS Launches Second French Fremm Frigate | Navy & Maritime Security News at DefenceTalk
  23. Modifiche E Qualche Ritocco Per Le Fremm - Analisi Difesa
  24. Marina Militare

External links[]







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The original article can be found at FREMM multipurpose frigate and the edit history here.
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