Part of the keel – and in particular the part called the keel – of the first FDI (Frigate Defense and Intervention) frigate, also known as «[email protected]», was presented today with all formality, at the shipyard of the construction company Naval Group in Lorient, France.
This is the first major step in FDI assembly, which has been ordered by the French Navy and is expected to be delivered in 2024.
The “present” at the event, which took place in a specially designed space inside the covered shipbuilding bed where the construction works of the first FDI frigate are being carried out, was given by Thanos Dokos, National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
As part of the presentation, the “trademark” of the frigates “was put into operation”[email protected]», The embedded mast (mast) called Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM). It is an innovative system with tracking radar and a number of “smart” functions, built separately from the rest of the ship.
In this symbolic way, the Naval Group marks the beginning of the tests of the integrated battle system, with which the frigates will be equipped “[email protected]». The goal is for the PSIM battle system to be “ready for battle” several months before it is installed on the first frigate.
Historic moment
Proud of the historic moment, said Naval Group CEO Pierre-Eric Pomele, stressing that FDI frigates “are multi-role vessels” that can be customized to the user’s requirements, while “designed with an emphasis on digital technology integration” . He stressed that “already, both France and Greece have chosen the FDI frigates” while for its part, the Naval Group “remains faithful to its commitment to strengthen the sovereignty of France and its allies.”
“Admiral Ronar” and the other frigates
The first FDI frigate will be named after the famous French Admiral Ronard, who served as commander of the French fleet from 1919 to 1920 and distinguished himself during World War I.
In all, the French Navy has commissioned five FDI frigates, which will be delivered from the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient, on the Atlantic coast, from 2024 to 2030. Based on the original plan, which is under configuration until the project is contracted, the first two Greek “[email protected]”- out of the three in total – will be built in 2025, followed by the construction of the third ship in 2026.
Characteristics of frigates «[email protected]»Is that the designs are based on 100% digital perception. Their special IT architecture is basically based on two separate data centers that operate in parallel, but also have the ability to support each one separately, if required, the ship and all its complex functions. The complexity in the conception and implementation of the FDI frigate program is such that, so far, more than 1 million hours have been required for the production of each of the ship’s units, while a corresponding time has been spent on research and the development of its state-of-the-art systems.
More than 1,200 workers are employed exclusively in the construction of “[email protected]At the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient, while in total, the company cooperates with 400 “subcontractors”, among them companies from the widest range of the Greek defense industry.
With a displacement that “reaches” 4,500 tons, a length that reaches 122 meters and a maximum cruising speed of 27 nautical knots, the “[email protected]Is a warship that can support different roles, capable of operating autonomously or as part of a naval force. It is able to support the full range of modern naval operations, such as surface warfare, area air defense, anti-submarine operations as well as the execution of special operations. It features, among others, eight Exocet surface-to-air missiles, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes and Aster 15/30 anti-aircraft missiles.
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