France Orders an Additional Defence and Intervention Frigate (FDI) from Naval Group

April 07, 2026

On 31 March 2026, the French Government defence procurement and technology agency notified the order for the fifth defence and intervention frigate (FDI) for the French Navy (Marine nationale). The fourth frigate was ordered in December 2025.

This fifth FDI frigate, part of programme that includes the delivery of five units for the French navy, embodies the renewal and strengthening of the French Navy's capabilities. 

“With these orders for FDI frigates 4 and 5 for France, planned under the LPM, the Ministry of the Armed Forces renews its confidence in us to complete the series of defence and intervention frigates. We are thus fully mobilized to provide the French Navy with the means to achieve naval superiority, in the service of France's sovereignty." Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group.

Built on Naval Group’s site in Lorient, these fourth and fifth French units, alongside the four FDI frigates destined for the Hellenic Navy, will bring the total production of this series to nine defence and intervention frigates.

The FDI, a high-intensity combat-ready ship on all seas of the globe
The FDI is a first-rank frigate with proven capabilities in all areas of combat: anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, anti-surface and asymmetric.

Evolutive and versatile, it uncompromisingly combines all the functions enabling it to manage, either independently or as part of a fleet, current and emerging threats such as latest-generation submarines, supersonic missiles, cyberattacks and multifaceted asymmetric threats. To this end, it is equipped with advanced digital and data processing technologies. Capable of operating in all theatres of action and responding to the evolving constraints of naval warfare, the FDI is a major asset for navies.

Its compact layout and unique design make it perfectly suited to different environments and rough seas around the world (cold and warm waters, and archipelagic environments in particular). This ability to navigate in high seas and rough waters has been demonstrated during the first sea trials (14 weeks to date) of the Admiral Ronarc'h, whose crew was able to observe its aptitude in the face of a sea state 6 in the Atlantic Ocean.

Moreover, the design and integrated automations on board the FDI allow the ship to be operated with a reduced crew. It offers a high level of maintainability, reducing its maintenance times and optimizing its operational availability. A capacity thus comparable to that of the multi-mission frigates (FREMM) of the French Navy, which have achieved an 80% availability rate for over a decade.

Furthermore, like all our ships and systems, the FDI is designed and built to NATO standards, ensuring interoperability and connectivity between allied navies.

Source : Naval Group