Defence and intervention frigate

The defence and intervention frigate (Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention) or FDI, also known as the Frégate de Taille Intermédiaire (Medium-Size Frigate) or FTI, is a class of French frigates. As of February 2022, five ships have been ordered for the French Navy, with the lead ship being named Amiral Ronarc'h, and an additional three, more heavily armed vessels, for the Hellenic Navy, with the lead ship named Kimon.

First steel was cut in October 2019, beginning construction on the lead unit. The lead ship was laid down on 17 December 2021. Commissioning had been planned from 2024 onwards. However, in 2024 it was reported that delays in the fitting out and sea trials of the lead vessel of the class, Amiral Ronarc'h, would likely push commissioning and full entry into service of first ship into 2025.

History
The Intermediate Frigate (FTI) program was a response to the requirement for fifteen first-class frigates to allow the French Navy to operate in a crisis zone, as recommended in the White Paper on Defense and National Security of 2013. This would see the five FTI ships join the ten FREMM multipurpose frigates (Aquitaine class) and Horizon-class frigate.

Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced the launch of the five-ship program on 29 May 2015 at the naval aviation base in Lann-Bihoué. In 2021 it was reported that work on the second and third frigates in the series would be accelerated with first steel cut for modules of the second ship of the class envisaged for October.

The FTIs, of a contained size, would better correspond to the demands of the export markets according to the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA; English: Directorate General of Armaments) and also make it possible to maintain the development and production capacities of the French shipyards.

These ships will incrementally supersede the La Fayette-class frigates, in the role of first rank frigates, replacing all five frigates of that class by 2035. In the interim, a modernization of three vessels in the La Fayette class is being undertaken to extend their useful lives into the early 2030s. In November 2022 it was announced that the first two FDI frigates (Amiral Ronarc'h and Amiral Louzeau) would be based at Brest.

The FDI will have with significant anti-aircraft capabilities with active antenna radar and fixed planes, anti-submarine capabilities (helicopter and towed sonar), and will have a displacement of 4,000 to 4,500 t.

The French Defence Ministry announced the award of a contract to DCNS for the development and construction of five intermediate-size frigates (FTIs) intended for the French Navy on 21 April 2017. The frigates will be equipped with electronic systems and sensors developed by Thales and Aster 30 missiles.


 * The SEA FIRE all-digital multi-function radar with four fixed antennas, which will meet the requirements of a broad range of missions, from ship self-defence to extended air defence, and can deploy MBDA Aster 15/30. The first SEA FIRE radar was delivered for integration in the first frigate in April 2021.
 * The compact version of the CAPTAS-4 towed-array sonar, delivers the same ultra-long-range detection performance as the original version of CAPTAS-4 with 20% lower weight and a footprint almost 50% smaller.
 * The Aquilon integrated digital communications system and an IFF (Identification Friend of Foe) associated with the SEA FIRE radar.
 * The SENTINEL system, an advanced digital electronic warfare system built around a modular architecture.

Greece
In September 2021, Greece signed an agreement with France's Naval Group to purchase three FDI HN frigates with an option for one more for the Hellenic Navy as part of a $5 billion defence package. The FDI HN export version is also known as the Belharra-class frigate.

It was reported that the Hellenic Navy ships would eventually carry a more extensive weapons fit, capable of carrying up to 32 Aster-30 air defence missiles. This will permit the Hellenic Navy to operate three ships with 32 air defence missiles plus 21 point defence missiles in a Mk31 21-cell launcher of RAM Block 2B surface-to-air missiles, 8 Block 3 Exocet anti-ship missiles, 2 dual launchers MU90 torpedoes and SYLENA Mk1 decoy launching systems (DLS) for CANTO anti-torpedo decoys. Two of the vessels, destined for the French Navy in 2025, now will be delivered to the Hellenic Navy. The date of the construction agreement was anticipated to be at late 2021 or early 2022.

In December 2021 it was reported that an agreement for construction had been signed by France and Greece with the actual contract for the construction of the ships having been signed on 24 March 2022. In February 2022, documents released by the Greek Parliament indicated that initially the first two frigates for the Hellenic Navy would be equipped similar to their French counterparts in a "Standard-1" configuration (with 16 Sylver A50 cells). By 2027 the two ships would be upgraded to a "Standard-2" configuration with 32 A-50 cells as well as with the RAM Block 2B. The third Hellenic Navy frigate would be built from the outset in the "Standard-2" configuration.

According to the Hellenic Navy, the ships will be named after three great ancient Greek admirals: Cimon (Κίμων), Nearchus (Νέαρχος, ) and Phormio (Φορμίων, ). These names had previously been used for the ex-US Charles F. Adams-class destroyers in service with the Hellenic Navy from 1991 to 2004.

In 2024 it was decided to adjust the production sequence by reassigning the fourth and fifth vessels in the production series. The fourth vessel (the previous Amiral Louzeau - D661), previously assigned to France, would instead be allocated to Greece, while the fifth ship in the series (the previous Formion - F603), previously assigned to Greece, would be destined for the French Navy instead. Each vessel would be renamed accordingly. It was unclear how this reallocation might impact the original intent to have the third Greek FDI built in an enhanced "Standard-2" configuration.

Indonesia
In May 2024, France offered Indonesia the FDI in a full multi-mission configuration. The offer encompasses the potential for local manufacturing, the inclusion of Aster 15/30 missiles, the SETIS® Combat Management System, an AESA radar, a guarantee free from ITAR restrictions, and a construction period of 36 months. Depending on Indonesia’s requirements, the FDI can be equipped with various Tactical Data Link networks, such as Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, and Link Y. During the presentation to Indonesia, one of the slide shows a variant of the Belharra with 32 cells SYLVER with Aster 15/30 missiles, CIWS, 76 mm gun, 8 MM40 Block 3 Exocet missiles. A thorough educational and training program has also been suggested for the TNI AL staff who will be in charge of operating the ship. The offer stated that that the initial FDI for Indonesia could be built in France within a span of 36 months. PT PAL Indonesia, would undertake the construction of subsequent FDIs locally.

Interestingly, akin to the approach with Scorpène Evolved, France is also receptive to the concept of complete local production starting from the first ship.

Participation of Greek companies
As of January 2023, 23 contracts had been signed with Greek companies participating in the frigates' construction, with 10 more during the same year. Such contracts include construction of pre-outfitted blocks in Salamis Shipyards and shipment to France for assembly (starting from the third Greek frigate, and constructed for both Greek and French frigates).

Ships
Italics indicates estimated date

NOTE: The French Navy does not use the term "destroyer" but rather classifies these vessels as "first-rate frigates". Nevertheless, they are identified with the NATO "D" designation which ranks them in the destroyer class, instead of ranking them with an "F" designation as frigates. As of 2023, all French warships are having their hull numbers removed in order to reduce the ability to identify individual ships.