FREMM multipurpose frigate
FREMM multipurpose frigate
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Class overview
NameFREMM
Builders
Operators
Preceded by
SubclassesConstellation class
(United States)
Cost
  • France: ‹See Tfd›€670 million (2014)[2] (equivalent to €750.44 million in 2022)[3] per unit
  • Italy: ‹See Tfd›€598 million (2016)[4] per unit
  • Morocco: ‹See Tfd›€470 million (2014)[4] (equivalent to €526.43 million in 2022)[3] per unit
  • USA: ‹See Tfd›US$795 million (2020)[5] (equivalent to US$946.64 million in 2024)[6] for the first unit
Built2007-present
In commission2012-present
Planned59 (France: 17, Italy: 12, Morocco: 1, Egypt: 5, US: 20, Indonesia: 6)
Cancelled9 (France)
Active22 (Italy: 10, France: 8, Morocco: 1, Egypt: 3)
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement
  • France: 6,000 t (5,900 long tons)[7]
  • Italy: 6,700 t (6,600 long tons)[8] (5,500 tonnes, light displacement)
Length
  • France: 142 m (465 ft 11 in) LOA
  • Italy: 144.6 m (474 ft 5 in) LOA
  • Italy: 132.5 m (434 ft 9 in) LPP[9]
Beam
  • France: 20 m (65 ft 7 in)
  • Italy: 19.7 m (64 ft 8 in)
Draught
  • France: 7.6 m (24 ft 11 in)
  • Italy: 8.7 m (28 ft 7 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • France: In excess of 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
  • Italy: In excess of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range
  • France: 6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
  • Italy: 6,800 nmi (12,600 km; 7,800 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement
  • France: 145
  • Italy: 199 GP version / 201 ASW version
Crew
  • France: 123 crew on average including the air crew
  • Italy: 131 GP version / 133 ASW version; add 14 crew for one helo on board or add 23 crew for two helicopters on board
Sensors &
processing systems
Armament
  • Anti-air missiles:
  • France: 4 FREMM-ASW (Aquitaine, Provence, Languedoc, Auvergne) with 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A43 VLS for 16 MBDA Aster 15 missiles; 2 FREMM-ASW (Bretagne and Normandie) fitted with 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A50 VLS for 16 MBDA Aster 15 or 30 missiles; 2 FREMM-AAW (Alsace and Lorraine) fitted with 32-cell MBDA SYLVER A50 VLS for 32 MBDA Aster 15 or 30 missiles.[12]
  • Italy: 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A50 VLS for 16 MBDA Aster 15 and 30 missiles
  • Guns:
  • France: 1 × Leonardo OTO Melara 76 mm SR gun
  • Italy: 2 × Leonardo OTO Melara 76 mm/62 Davide/Strales guns (FREMM-ASW variant)
  • 1 × Leonardo Otobreda 127/64 Vulcano and 1 × Leonardo OTO Melara 76 mm/62 Davide/Strales gun (FREMM-GP variant)
  • Small guns:
  • France: 3 × Nexter 20 mm Narwhal remote weapon systems
  • Italy: 2 × Leonardo OTO Melara 25/80 turret with Oerlikon KBA 25mm as remote weapon station
  • Anti-ship missiles:
  • France: 8 × MBDA Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles (Block 3c variant entering service with the French Navy from December 2022)[13]
  • Italy: GP variant 8 × MBDA Teseo Mk-2/A anti-ship and land attack missiles; ASW variant 4 × MBDA Teseo Mk-2/A and 4 × MBDA MILAS anti-submarine missiles
  • Land-attack cruise missiles:
  • France: 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A70 VLS for 16 MBDA MdCN land-attack cruise missiles (not fitted to two French AAW variants)[12]
  • Anti-submarine warfare:
  • France: 2 × double Leonardo (WASS) B-515 launcher for MU 90 torpedoes
  • Italy: 2 × triple Leonardo (WASS) B-515/3 launcher for MU 90 torpedoes
  • Italy: 2 × SITEP MASS CS-424 acoustic guns (update since 2017)
Aircraft carried
  • France: 1 × NH90
  • Italy: 2 × SH90 or 1 × SH90 and 1 × AW101 (armed with MU 90 torpedoes or MBDA Marte Mk2/S missiles)
Aviation facilities
  • France: single hangar
  • Italy: double hangar
NotesItaly: 1 x RHIB SOLAS (Hatecke 7,5 m), 1 x RHIB Zodiac Hurricane 9,35 m and 1 RHIB CABAT 11 m on the stern

The European multi-purpose frigate or FREMM (French: Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission; Italian: Fregata Europea Multi-Missione) is a Franco-Italian family of warships designed by Naval Group and Fincantieri. This surface combatant is known in France as the Aquitaine class (17 units planned, of which 9 were later cancelled) and in Italy as the Bergamini class (10 units planned). The lead ship of the class, Aquitaine, was commissioned in November 2012 by the French Navy. Italy has ordered six general purpose and four anti-submarine variants. France, on the other hand, has ordered six anti-submarine variants and two air-defense ones.

The FREMM has also been exported to various countries. Notably, the United States Navy selected a FREMM variant for their new Constellation class of 20 frigates, to be built by Fincantieri, starting with a US$795 million contract for the lead ship.[5]

Background

[edit]

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 saw this number drop significantly for France, while the order for Italy remained unchanged. The land-attack variant (AVT) was subsequently cancelled.[citation needed]

A third anti-air warfare variant of FREMM was proposed by DCNS in response 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 €1.35B each, but this decision left French Navy still in-need of replacements for its aging Cassard-class air-defence frigates.[14]

As of 2009, the FREDA design features a more powerful version of the Héraklès passive electronically scanned array radar and 32 cells of SYLVER A50 vertical launch system in place of the 16 cells of A43 and 16 cells of A70. The SYLVER A50 would allow it to fire the 120-kilometre (75 mi)-range Aster 30 missile. While at one point it was determined that the towed array sonar would not be fitted, this has subsequently been retained on the FREDA design.[10][15]

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 defense mission as well as anti-air warfare. 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.[16] However, unlike the Héraklès and the SPY-1 (both using passive electronically scanned array technology), the Sea Fire 500 has active electronically scanned array antennas.[17]

Italy

[edit]

Initial planning assumptions for the Italian Navy are ten FREMM-IT (four ASW variants and six GP variants) at a cost of €5.9 billion. FREMM-IT will replace the Maestrale and Lupo-class frigates in service with the Italian Navy.[citation needed]

In the 2013 Italian budget, the Italian government laid out the necessary financing for two more GP variants (FREMM-IT 7 & 8) and the contract was awarded in September 2013. On 15 April 2015, the Italian Parliament confirmed the deal between OCCAR and Orizzonte Sistemi Navali Spa (Fincantieri and Finmeccanica, since 2017 Leonardo) to begin building units 9 and 10, for 764 million Euros.[citation needed]

As of 16 April 2015, the Italian government has approved funding for all ten FREMM-IT to be delivered to the Italian Navy (four ASW variants and six GP variants).[18] FREMM-IT 9 & 10 will have undisclosed enhanced capabilities. All ten Italian FREMM-ITs have extended AAW capabilities, with SAAM-ESD CMS, Aster 30 and Aster 15 missiles for extended area defence. SAAM-ESD CMS use Leonardo MFRA, a 3D active radar (AESA), an evolved version of the Leonardo EMPAR PESA radar (previously embarked on Horizon-class destroyers and the Cavour). Since the seventh FREMM-IT, there will be updates, such as new conformal IFF antenna and much more stealth response. Since the ninth FREMM-IT, SCLAR-H was replaced with Leonardo ODLS-20. In 2017 the Italian FREMM refit started with the installation on each of two SITEP MS-424 acoustic guns.[citation needed]

In 2020 Italy sold its last two FREMM-class frigates in the current production line (Spartaco Schergat and Emilio Bianchi) to Egypt. Spartaco Schergat was in the final stage of her sea trials while Emilio Bianchi would follow within one year. The deal reportedly also involved other military equipment and was worth 1.2 billion USD.[19] Italy then order two additional FREMM frigates to replace those transferred to Egypt with the anticipated delivery of the replacements by 2025, with a new GP&ASW enhanced configuration, named GP-e.[20]

On 31 July 2024 Italy ordered to OCCAR, for 1,5 billion Euros, another two FREMM (bringing class fleet to twelve vessels), named FREMM-EVO, based on FREMM-ASW hull with several changes: PPA's dual-band integrated X- & C-band radar, ATBM capability with Aster 30B1NT missiles, CAPTAS-4 variable depth sonar (VDS), two Lionfish 30 mm autocannons to replace 25/80 mm, etc.[21][22]

France

[edit]

The original plan was for 17 FREMM to replace the nine D'Estienne d'Orves-class avisos and nine anti-submarine frigates of the Tourville and Georges Leygues classes. In November 2005 France announced a contract of €3.5 billion for development and the first eight hulls, with options for nine more costing €2.95 billion split over two tranches (totaling 17).[citation needed]

Following the cancellation of the third and fourth of the Horizon-class frigates in 2005 on budget grounds, requirements for an air-defence derivative of the FREMM called FREDA were placed – with DCNS coming up with several proposals.[23] Expectations were that the last two ships of the 17 FREMM planned would be built to FREDA specifications; however, by 2008 the plan was revised down to just 11 FREMM (9 ASW variants and 2 FREDA variants)[14] at a cost of €8.75 billion (FY13, ~US$12 billion).[2] The 11 ships would cost €670 million (~US$760m) each in FY2014, or €860m (~US$980m) including development costs.[2]

The 2013 White Paper on Defence and National Security committed France to 15 front-line frigates,[24] which was initially interpreted as 2 Horizons, 5 La Fayettes and a reduction in the FREMM fleet down to 8 ships. The 2014–2019 defence plan restated a target of 11 frigates;[25] of which six ASW FREMM variants would be delivered to replace the Georges Leygues-class frigates by 2019, followed by two anti-air variants to replace the ageing Cassard-class frigates and a decision was to have been taken in 2016 on what version the remaining three would be.[2] In 2014, the French Navy's Chief of Staff, Admiral Bernard Rogel, confirmed that 11 FREMM frigates had been ordered[26] but in 2015 the order was cut to 8 in order to allow for the introduction of five FTI mid-Size frigates from 2024.[27] The FTI will replace the La Fayette class in "first-rank" roles, with three of the La Fayettes also being fitted with active sonar and other improvements so as to extend their service life into the early 2030s.[27]

On 16 April 2021 the French Navy received Alsace, the first of the two air defence FREMM frigates ordered. The primary role of the air defence frigates is conducting the anti-aircraft defense of critical units such as the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and Mistral class landing helicopter docks. Besides being equipped with Aster 15 and Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, the ship holds Exocet MM 40 anti-ship missiles and the MU 90 torpedo system.[28][29][30]

Export

[edit]
Operators of the FREMM frigates

United States

[edit]
An artist's rendering of a Constellation-class frigate
Main article: Constellation-class frigate

On 10 July 2017, it was reported that the United States Congress was interested in foreign designs such as the Fincantieri FREMM for the US Navy's FFG(X) Program.[31] According to Representative Rob Wittman, chairman of the United States House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, the US Congress was comfortable with models such as Fincantieri's partnership with Lockheed Martin to build the Freedom version of the littoral combat ship (LCS).[32] If the Italian FREMM design is selected, the Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin, part of the Fincantieri group, would build the guided-missile frigates. Marinette Marine is best known for the US Navy Freedom-class LCS. On 16 February 2018, Fincantieri Marine was one of five companies awarded a $15 million contract for conceptual design of FFG(X), which the Navy would evaluate over 16 months ahead of a final request for proposal in 2019 and contract award in 2020.[33]

On 30 June 2017, it was announced that Leonardo and BAE Systems will collaborate to provide the US military forces with a wide range of upgraded munitions for advanced, large-calibre weapon systems such as the Leonardo Vulcano and Strales/DART guided munitions.[34]

From late May to early June 2018, the Italian Navy deployed Alpino on a good will visit to the United States along the Eastern seaboard, making port calls in Norfolk, Baltimore, New York City, and Boston.[35] She was visited by several US Navy officials who toured her as a potential FFG(X) candidate. Among the visitors was the Italian Ambassador to the United States, Armando Varricchio.[36]

On 30 April 2020, the US Navy announced that Fincantieri had been awarded a $795 million contract for the first FFG(X), to be built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin.[5][37] The contract includes options for an additional nine ships, which, if all options were exercised, would value the contract at $5.5 billion.[37] On 7 October 2020, US Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite announced that first FFG(X) frigate would be named Constellation.[38][39]

Egypt

[edit]

Egypt ordered two Italian FREMM frigates in 2020 and one French FREMM frigate in 2015.[40] On 16 February 2015, the Egyptian Navy ordered one FREMM vessel to enter service before the opening of the New Suez Canal, as part of a larger deal (including 24 Dassault Rafale aircraft and a supply of missiles) worth US$5.9 billion (€5.2 billion).[41][42] In order to keep to Egypt's deadlines, France offered to send Normandie, originally intended for the French Navy.[43] The SYLVER A70 VLS and NETTUNO-4100 jamming equipment were removed due to export limitations for such sensitive equipment.[44] The crew will be around 126 sailors compared to 108 in the French Navy.[45] The SATCOM antenna for the French Syracuse satellites was also taken down; however, Egypt will use its own military telecommunications satellite, supplied by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space, in conjunction with its naval vessels.[46] From March 2015, DCNS trained the Egyptian crew in the technology of the ship and DCNS and its partners accompanied the crew for a period of 15 months. On 23 June 2015, French naval shipbuilder DCNS transferred the FREMM frigate Tahya Misr (ex-Normandie) to the Egyptian Navy. A ceremony took place to transfer Normandie, renamed Tahya Misr ("Long Live Egypt") to Egypt, in the presence of General Sedki Sobhy, the Egyptian Minister of Defense, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Minister of Defense, Admiral Osama Rabie, Egyptian Navy Commander in Chief, Admiral Bernard Rogel, the French Chief of Navy and Hervé Guillou, Chairman & CEO of DCNS.[45][47][48] The initial Italian sale might be followed by the subsequent acquisition of two additional FREMM frigates by Egypt.[20] In April 2021, the second FREMM Bergamini-class frigate, ENS Bernees, joined the Egyptian Navy. The first one joined on 31 December 2020.[49]

Morocco

[edit]

On 24 October 2007, it was announced that the Royal Moroccan Navy had ordered one FREMM to replace its Descubierta-class corvette.[50] The contract was signed on 18 April 2008 and construction of the Moroccan FREMM began in the summer 2008 with delivery expected in 2012 or 2013;[51] Mohammed VI was launched in September 2011 and handed over on 30 January 2014.[4] The Moroccan ship is similar to the French anti-submarine version, without SYLVER A70 tubes for MdCN cruise missile, and cost €470m.[4]

Indonesia

[edit]

On 10 June 2021, Indonesia signed a contract with Fincantieri for the order of six FREMM frigates and two Maestrale-class frigates and other logistical support.[52] There may be collaboration between PT-PAL Shipyard on Java and Fincantieri.[53]

Greece

[edit]

Following the unsuccessful negotiations of 2009-2018, in April 2025 Greek Minister for National Defence Nikos Dendias announced to the Delphi Economic Forum. Greece would again seek to purchase two used FREMM frigates from Italy, as part of the country's €25 billion multi-year defence plan.[1]

Unsuccessful bids

[edit]

Canada

[edit]

In April 2013, the French government showcased the FREMM class in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with the hope of selling to the Royal Canadian Navy for the Single Class Surface Combatant Project.[54][55]

In September 2017, a variant of the FREMM was offered directly to the Ministry of Defence, in an attempt to protect intellectual property. This direct bid included delivery of the first ship in 2019 if accepted within the year and a fixed price of $30 billion for all 15 ships, versus the $62 billion estimated for the government's prime-contractor ship building plan.[56] In December 2017 the offer was rejected by the Public Services and Procurement Canada, citing the unsolicited nature of the bid as undermining the fair and competitive nature of the procurement".[57] In October 2018, the Type 26 design was chosen by Canada as the winner of the program. On 8 February 2019, a contact was signed by Canada to build Type 26 vessels.[58][59]

Australia

[edit]

In April 2016, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed that the Italian FREMM class was one of three frigates shortlisted for the Royal Australian Navy's Anzac-class frigate replacement.[60] In September 2016, Fincantieri signed a contract to participate in the Competitive Evaluation Process, conducted by the Department of Defence for nine Future Frigates for the Royal Australian Navy.[61] In June 2018, the contract was awarded to BAE Systems to produce up to six Hunter-class frigates based on the British Type 26 frigate, of which three units were ordered in June 2024.[62]

Brazil

[edit]

In January 2019, the Italian government made an offer of two Bergamini-class frigates to the Brazilian Navy. The frigates Spartaco Schergat and Emilio Bianchi under construction for the Italian Navy, would be transferred to Brazil for €1.5 billion (R$6.37 billion).[63]

Greece

[edit]

On 22 January 2009 the Hellenic Navy announced an order for six FREMM to replace an equal number of Elli-class frigates.[64] 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 objected to this deal in October 2011[65] and no deal has been signed. In 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 (Normandie and Provence according to initial reports) to the Hellenic Navy has been reached.[66] On 12 January 2018 the Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini reported that the Greek government was set to enter talks with France regarding the procurement of two FREMM frigates, with an option for an additional two. Contacts between Greece and France were to begin initially at a military level, starting in February 2018.[67][68] In April 2018, Greek deputy Minister for National Defence Fotis Kouvelis stated that an agreement between France and Greece was reached for a five-year lease of two FREMM frigates, which could have been handed over as early as August 2018.[69] After a few days, on 25 April 2018 the Greek minister of Defense Panos Kammenos denied any information regarding the purchase of two frigates from France.[70] Eventually, Greece abandoned all plans for the purchase of FREMMs in 2019 and pursued with the smaller FDI Belharra multi-purpose frigates, offered by Naval Group.[71]

Country-specific equipment

[edit]

Common equipment

[edit]
  • Leonardo OTO Melara 76 mm (3.0 in)/62 calibre gun (compact for FR-ASW/Super Rapid gun with Davide/Strales guided ammunition for IT-ASW)
  • 2 × torpedo launchers Eurotorp/WASS B515/3[citation needed] for MU 90 torpedoes with Calzoni AHS (Automatic Handling System)
  • 1 × Leonardo NA-25 DARDO-F[citation needed] fire control system for the 76 mm cannon
  • 2 × SLAT (Systeme de Lutte Anti-Torpille) anti-torpedo system (into Italian Navy only for ASW version) ASW DLS (Anti Submarine Weapon Decoy Launcher System) based on Thales ALERT sonar system, DCNS RATO command system and WASS CMAT weapon system (with 12 tube launcher for 127 mm's WASS C-310 decoy and jammers)
  • NH90 helicopter, with capability for AW101, Cougar and Caracal
  • Thales UMS 4110 CL hull sonar
  • Thales UMS 4249 CAPTAS-4 towed sonar (Italian anti-submarine versions only; fitted to both French ASW and air defence variants)[72]
  • Thales TUUM-6 Underwater Telephone
  • 2 × Sigen MM/SMQ-765 EW system: with JASS (Jamming Antenna Sub System) ECM, Nettuno 4100, by ELT Elettronica and Thales ESM (Communications and Radar ESM)
  • 2 × SOFRESUD Quick Pointing Devices "QPD"

French-specific equipment

[edit]
French version of the FREMM
  • 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A43 VLS for MBDA Aster 15 missiles (in first four ASW variants)
    • The last two ASW variants have been fitted with a 16-cell MBDA A50 VLS for MBDA Aster 30 to be used if deemed necessary.
    • The two AAW variants fitted with 32-cell A50 VLS.
  • 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A70 VLS for MBDA MdCN cruise missile with a range up to 1,400 km (870 mi) or Aster 30 anti-air missile (not fitted to AAW variants)[73]
  • MBDA Exocet MM40 Block 3, (Block 3c variant - naval and land-attack capability - entering service with the French Navy from December 2022)[13]
  • 2 × Nexter 20 mm (0.79 in) Narwhal remote weapon systems
  • NGDS decoy launcher
  • Héraklès radar
  • Terma Scanter 2001 radar[74]
  • Thales Artemis IRST
  • SETIS combat system
  • Sagem Najir fire control system for the 76 mm gun (on French ASW variants)[75]
  • Thales STIR EO MK 2 fire control radar for 76 mm gun (on French AAW variants)[75]
  • 4 × torpedo launchers Eurotorp/WASS B515/3 for MU 90 torpedoes
  • Samahé helicopter handling system

Italian-specific equipment

[edit]
Italian ASW FREMM Carabiniere
Italian ASW FREMM Virginio Fasan
  • 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A50 VLS for MBDA Aster 15 missiles and MBDA Aster 30 missiles
  • Leonardo IRST SASS
  • another one Leonardo NA-25 DARDO-F fire control system for the second cannon (76 mm/62 calibre or 127 mm (5.0 in)/54 calibre gun)
  • Leonardo Kronos Grand Naval (MFRA) AESA, 3D, C band radar
  • Leonardo RASS (RAN-30X-I) surface radar (OTH)
  • Leonardo SPS-732, 2D LPI Surveillance X band radar (surface and air surveillance at low level); since the seventh FREMM-IT replaced by more powerful Leonardo SPS-732(V2)
  • Leonardo SPN-730 LPI navigation radar and two navigation radar GEM-Elettronica MM/SPN-753
  • Leonardo SPN-720 radar for helicopter precision approach
  • Leonardo IFF SIR M-E; since the 7th FREMM-IT replaced with Leonardo IFF SIR M5-PA with phased array antenna
  • Leonardo Athena combat system (CMS), with 21, three displays, MFC (Multi Functional Consolle): 17 into COC, 2 in backup COC, 1 on bridge and 1 into Command Planning Room
  • Leonardo SAAM-ESD extended area AAW combat system (for Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles)
  • 2 × Leonardo (OTO Melara) SCLAR-H DLS Multipurpose Rocket Launcher; since the 7th vessel replaced with Leonardo ODLS-20
  • GP version: 8 × MBDA Teseo Mk-2/A, for naval and land attack missiles
  • ASW version: 4 × MBDA Teseo Mk-2/A missiles and 4 × MBDA MILAS anti-submarine missiles
  • 2 × OTO Melara - Oerlikon KBA 25 mm (0.98 in)/80 calibre remote weapon system, controlled by close CMS
  • Curtiss-Wright TC-ASIST helicopter handling system (for both helicopters)
  • Leonardo (WASS) SNA-2000-I mine avoidance sonar
  • L-3 ELAC Nautik SeaBeam 3050, multi-beam echo sounder (only on ASW version)
  • 1 × 7 m (23 ft) rigid-hulled inflatable boat release and recovery lateral systems (Stemar 6.8 m (22 ft), FNM HPEP 225 hp (168 kW) engine, 38 knots (70 km/h; 44 mph), 6 crew[76])
  • 1 × 11 m (36 ft) rigid-hulled inflatable boat release and recovery lateral systems (Zodiac Hurricane)
  • 1 × 11 m rigid-hulled inflatable boat fast, stern release and recovery system[77] (only on GP version, for CABI Cattaneo CABAT boat)
  • ASW version: 2 × Leonardo OTO Melara 76 mm/62 calibre Davide/Strales CIWS guns, one on the hangar (both with Strales guided ammunition)
  • GP version: 1 × Leonardo OTO Melara 127 mm/64 calibre gun with Vulcano guided ammunition, with a range up to 120 km (75 mi), and AAHS (Automated Ammunition Handling System) with 350 rounds + 56 in turret and a second Leonardo (OTO Melara) 76 mm/62 calibre Davide/Strales CIWS gun on the hangar (with Strales guided-ammunition)
  • 2 × acoustic guns / LRAD SITEP MASS CS-424: since year 2017, on update works

Ships of the class

[edit]
Name Pennant no. Builder Variant Role Laid down Launched Commissioned Homeport
 Italian Navy
Bergamini class[78]
Carlo Bergamini F 590 Fincantieri, Muggiano and Riva Trigoso GP General purpose 4 February 2008 16 July 2011[79] 29 May 2013[80] Taranto
Virginio Fasan F 591 IT‑ASW Anti‑submarine warfare 12 May 2009 31 March 2012[81] 19 December 2013[82] La Spezia
Carlo Margottini F 592 21 April 2010 29 June 2013[83] 27 February 2014[84]
Carabiniere F 593 6 April 2011 29 March 2014[85] 28 April 2015[86] Taranto
Alpino F 594 23 February 2012 13 December 2014[87] 30 September 2016[88]
Luigi Rizzo F 595 GP General purpose 5 March 2013 19 December 2015[89] 20 April 2017[90] La Spezia
Federico Martinengo F 596 5 June 2014[91] 4 March 2017[92] 24 April 2018[93] Taranto
Antonio Marceglia F 597 12 July 2015[94][95] 3 February 2018[96] 16 April 2019[97]
Spartaco Schergat F 598 GP-e General purpose & ASW 25 February 2021[98] 24 November 2023 15 April 2025[99] La Spezia
Emilio Bianchi F 599 12 October 2021[100] 24 May 2024 30 July 2025[101] Taranto
Bersagliere F FREMM-EVO[102] General purpose & ASW 8 July 2025[103] June 2029 [104]
? F 2026 June 2030 [105]
 French Navy
Aquitaine class
Aquitaine D650 DCNS, Lorient FR‑ASW Anti‑submarine warfare 2007 29 April 2010 23 November 2012[106] Brest
Normandie D651 2014 1 February 2018[107] 3 June 2020[108]
Provence D652 2010 18 September 2013 12 June 2015 Toulon[109]
Languedoc D653 2011 12 July 2014 4 July 2017
Auvergne D654 2012 2 September 2015 14 February 2018[110][111] Brest[112]
Bretagne D655 2013 16 September 2016 20 February 2019[113]
Alsace D656 FR‑AAW Anti‑air warfare 2016 18 April 2019[114] 16 April 2021[75] Toulon
Lorraine D657 2019[115] 13 November 2020[116] 13 November 2023[117][118][119][120]
 United States Navy
Constellation class
Constellation FFG-62 Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin IT‑ASW Anti-submarine warfare 12 April 2024 [121] TBC Everett[122]
Congress FFG-63 TBC
Chesapeake FFG-64 TBC
Lafayette FFG-65 TBC
Hamilton FFG-66 TBC[123]
Galvez FFG-67 TBC[124]
 Egyptian Navy
Tahya Misr
(ex-Normandie)[125] 		FFG-1001 DCNS, Lorient FR‑ASW Anti‑submarine warfare 2009 18 October 2012 17 March 2016[126] Alexandria[127]
Al-Galala
(ex-Spartaco Schergat) 		FFG-1002 Fincantieri, Muggiano and Riva Trigoso GP General Purpose 21 December 2015 26 January 2019[128] 23 December 2020
Bernees
(ex-Emilio Bianchi) 		FFG-1003 January 2018 25 January 2020[129] 13 April 2021[130]
 Royal Moroccan Navy
Mohammed VI 701 DCNS, Lorient FR‑ASW Anti‑submarine warfare 2008 14 September 2011 30 January 2014[4] Ksar es Seghir

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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FREMM multipurpose frigate

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The FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission) multipurpose frigate is a class of advanced, stealthy multi-role warships jointly developed by France and Italy to replace aging destroyer and frigate fleets with versatile platforms capable of anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-air warfare (AAW), and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) missions.[1][2] Designed by Naval Group for the French Navy's Aquitaine-class variants and by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy's Bergamini-class, these frigates feature a length of approximately 142–144 meters, a beam of 19.7–20 meters, and a full-load displacement ranging from 6,000 to 6,700 tonnes, enabling speeds exceeding 27 knots and operational ranges over 6,000 nautical miles.[1][3][4] Equipped with integrated sensor suites, vertical launch systems for missiles, advanced sonar, and helicopter facilities, the FREMM class emphasizes modularity and endurance for extended deployments in high-threat environments.[2][5] Initiated in the early 2000s under the OCCAR framework to foster industrial collaboration and cost efficiencies, the program has delivered over a dozen frigates to France and Italy by 2025, with ongoing enhancements like ASW-optimized variants and evolved designs incorporating improved propulsion and combat systems.[6][7][5] The frigates have demonstrated operational effectiveness in exercises, including U.S. Navy ASW evaluations where French FREMMs excelled, influencing foreign designs such as the American Constellation-class.[8] Exports underscore the design's adaptability and market success, with Morocco acquiring one French-built unit (Mohammed VI) in 2014 and Egypt receiving two Italian-built vessels (Tahya Misr and Bernees) by 2021, alongside potential additional orders.[9][10][11]

Development and origins

Franco-Italian collaboration

The Franco-Italian FREMM program originated from bilateral agreements formalized in 2005 under the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), with Armaris (now Naval Group) of France partnering with Fincantieri and Orizzonte Sistemi Navali of Italy as co-prime contractors to jointly design and produce a new generation of multi-mission frigates.[5][12] This collaboration leveraged combined industrial capabilities to standardize core platform elements, including hull forms and propulsion architectures, while enabling mission-specific modular adaptations for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and general-purpose (GP) roles.[1] Driven by post-Cold War naval priorities for versatile, cost-effective surface combatants amid shifting threats like asymmetric warfare and regional power projection, the partnership emphasized export potential and European interoperability through shared technical specifications and joint testing protocols.[12][1] The modular approach allowed interchangeable mission bays and weapon modules, reducing development redundancies and fostering common logistics for allied operations.[1] A pivotal milestone occurred on October 31, 2007, when OCCAR awarded the primary construction contract valued at approximately €3.4 billion for an initial batch of 17 ships, with options expanding to 21 units total—10 ASW/GP variants for France and 11 for Italy—incorporating collaborative R&D on integrated electric propulsion systems and combat management software to distribute costs and achieve per-unit savings estimated at 20-30% via economies of scale.[12][5] This framework ensured synchronized production schedules across shipyards in Lorient (France) and Riva Trigoso/La Spezia (Italy), with joint oversight committees managing technology transfers and risk-sharing.[1]

French program initiation

The French Navy began planning for a new generation of multi-mission frigates in the early 2000s to replace its aging Georges Leygues-class (F70) anti-submarine warfare (ASW) destroyers, which dated from the 1970s and 1980s, amid growing submarine threats from proliferating diesel-electric and nuclear-powered platforms in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions.[13] This strategic emphasis on ASW stemmed from France's need to maintain robust underwater detection and engagement capabilities for NATO-aligned operations and independent blue-water deterrence, where surface vessels must counter stealthy adversaries capable of disrupting sea lines of communication.[12] In 2005, following initial Franco-Italian agreements dating to 2002, France selected the collaborative European Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM) program over pursuing a purely national design, prioritizing cost efficiencies through shared research, development, and production with Italy's Fincantieri while adapting the platform to French ASW priorities distinct from Italy's general-purpose focus.[14] [12] The joint approach allowed integration of proven French systems, such as the SYLVER vertical launch system for MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval) cruise missiles, enabling land-attack options that bolstered deterrence against distant threats without compromising core ASW roles.[15] The program's momentum accelerated with the 2007 contract award to DCNS (now Naval Group) for the first batch of six ASW-optimized variants, initiating construction of the lead ship Aquitaine (F710) and setting deliveries to commence in 2012.[16] This phase underscored causal ties between design choices—like hull-mounted sonars and towed arrays—and enhanced operational resilience in contested maritime domains, where ASW proficiency directly supports carrier strike group protection and power projection alongside Rafale Marine fighters.[1]

Italian program specifics

The Italian Navy's FREMM program, designated as the Bergamini class, emphasized multipurpose capabilities tailored to Mediterranean operational priorities, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW) against regional diesel-electric submarine threats and general-purpose (GP) missions with enhanced land-attack and coastal engagement roles, in contrast to the French program's greater focus on open-ocean endurance and anti-air warfare.[17][18] This doctrinal adaptation leveraged the shared Franco-Italian hull design while prioritizing Italian systems such as the OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid gun for littoral fire support and anti-surface engagements.[3] Planning for ten Bergamini-class frigates commenced under initial assumptions of four ASW variants equipped with towed-array sonars for submerged threat detection and six GP variants optimized for surface warfare and versatility, at a total program cost of approximately €5.9 billion.[17][3] The first batch of six ships—comprising four ASW and two GP configurations—followed funding approvals tied to 2006-2007 defense budgets, with construction led by Fincantieri integrating national subsystems like Leonardo (formerly Selex ES) Kronos Grand Naval active phased-array radars for multi-threat tracking.[1][19] The lead ship, Carlo Bergamini (F 590), was commissioned on May 29, 2013, marking the initial operational delivery and validating Italian customizations such as reinforced anti-ship missile integration for NATO-aligned surface strike doctrines.[20] These adaptations ensured interoperability with alliance assets while addressing Italy's strategic needs for rapid response in confined waters, including emphasis on Otomat anti-ship missiles over broader blue-water projections favored in the French variants.[18][17]

Design and capabilities

Hull and propulsion systems

The FREMM frigates possess a monohull design constructed primarily from steel, with overall lengths of 142 meters for French variants and 144 meters for Italian variants, a beam of 19.7 meters, and full-load displacements ranging from 6,000 tonnes to 6,700 tonnes depending on configuration.[21][3] The hull features inclined surfaces and an integrated superstructure to reduce radar cross-section, alongside covered decks and masked openings that minimize acoustic and infrared signatures.[22] These design elements enhance survivability by complicating detection across multiple spectra, with the sloped hull geometry deflecting radar waves away from emitters.[23] Propulsion is provided by a CODLAG (combined diesel-electric and gas) system, incorporating one 32 MW General Electric LM2500+G4 gas turbine for high-speed operations, two 2.2 MW reversible electric motors for low-speed maneuvering, four MTU 20V 4000 diesel generators producing approximately 2.2 MW each, and twin controllable-pitch propellers.[3][24] This hybrid setup enables efficient power distribution, where diesel-electric mode powers the electric motors via generators for sustained cruising, and the gas turbine engages for sprints, achieving maximum speeds exceeding 27 knots.[1] The system supports a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots, suitable for extended transoceanic patrols, as confirmed through sea trials on multiple units including the French Lorraine in 2022 and Italian Emilio Bianchi in 2024.[1][25][26] In diesel-electric configuration, the frigates operate with reduced mechanical noise and vibration, facilitating silent anti-submarine warfare by lowering the platform's acoustic detectability, a capability empirically validated during trials demonstrating endurance without compromising stealth.[6][25]

Armament suite

The FREMM frigate's primary vertical launch system consists of 16 to 32 SYLVER A43, A50, or A70 cells, configured according to national variants and mission roles. French Aquitaine-class vessels in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) configuration typically feature 16 SYLVER A43 cells loaded with Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) for point defense against aircraft and missiles, while air defense (DA) variants like Alsace employ up to 32 A50/A70 cells accommodating Aster 30 SAMs for extended-range area defense.[1][27] Italian Bergamini-class frigates utilize SYLVER A50 modules, with ASW models carrying eight Aster 15 missiles and general-purpose (GP) variants supporting Aster 15/30 mixes.[6] For land-attack missions, select French configurations integrate MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval) cruise missiles in SYLVER cells, enabling strikes at ranges exceeding 1,000 km with inertial, GPS, and terrain-reference navigation for precision targeting of fixed infrastructure.[28] These systems support multi-mission flexibility, as validated in over 50 combat-system integration trials on lead ship Normandie, confirming seamless missile sequencing and salvo fire under simulated high-threat scenarios.[29] Anti-ship capabilities include eight Exocet MM40 Block 3 missiles on French vessels, offering sea-skimming trajectories and active radar homing for over-the-horizon engagements up to 180 km. Italian variants employ Otomat/Teseo Mk2/E or Mk2/ER anti-ship missiles, with ranges up to 180-290 km and inertial/GPS guidance for saturated attacks.[1][18] Main gunfire is provided by a single 76 mm or 127 mm Oto Melara Super Rapid deck gun, capable of 120 rounds per minute with programmable ammunition for anti-surface, anti-air, and close-in roles; French ships standardize on 76 mm, while Italian GP frigates use 127 mm for enhanced volume fire.[14][30] Anti-submarine armament centers on two triple 324 mm torpedo tubes firing MU90 lightweight torpedoes, with acoustic homing and wire guidance for depths up to 1,000 m and speeds over 50 knots. Italian and select French configurations add the Milas ASW missile, which deploys a MU90 torpedo via rocket boost to ranges of 35-50 km, extending standoff engagement against submerged threats.[1][9] Integration trials, including live-fire exercises like the Aster 30 intercept of a supersonic target by Alsace in October 2025, demonstrate the suite's networked fire control for concurrent air, surface, and subsurface responses, as tested in multinational drills such as Formidable Shield 2021.[27][31]
Weapon TypeFrench ConfigurationItalian ConfigurationKey Capabilities
VLS Cells16-32 SYLVER A43/A50/A708-16 SYLVER A50Aster 15/30 SAMs (anti-air, 30-120 km); MdCN (land-attack, >1,000 km)[27][28]
Anti-Ship Missiles8 Exocet MM40 B38 Otomat Mk2/ESea-skimming, 180+ km range[1][18]
Main Gun1 × 76 mm1 × 76/127 mm120 rpm, multi-role ammo[14]
ASW Torpedoes/MissilesMU90 (triple tubes); Milas optionalMU90 (triple tubes); Milas50+ knots, 1,000 m depth; 35-50 km standoff[9]

Sensors and electronic warfare

The French variants of the FREMM frigate are equipped with the Thales Herakles multi-function radar, a passive electronically scanned array system operating in the S-band that provides 360-degree azimuth coverage and detection ranges of up to 250 km for air targets and 80 km for surface targets.[1] This radar supports simultaneous air and surface surveillance, target tracking, and fire control for anti-air missiles, enabling the frigate to manage multiple threats in contested environments.[32] In contrast, Italian FREMM frigates utilize the Leonardo Kronos Grand Naval active electronically scanned array radar, which offers comparable multi-role capabilities including 3D air search, surface detection, and integration with missile systems for beyond-horizon engagements.[33] Evolved versions, such as the Kronos Dual-Band Radar on FREMM EVO models, incorporate C- and X-band operations for enhanced resolution and anti-ballistic missile defense potential.[7] Anti-submarine warfare variants across both navies feature the Thales CAPTAS-2 variable-depth sonar system, a towed array providing long-range passive and active detection with 360-degree coverage and torpedo warning capabilities, proven effective in multinational exercises where FREMM units have repeatedly earned U.S. Navy anti-submarine excellence awards.[34][35] Combat management is handled by the SETIS system on French ships, which fuses sensor data from radar, sonar, and electronic support measures to generate a unified tactical picture and automate threat responses.[36] Italian variants employ the Leonardo SADOC combat management system, similarly integrating multi-sensor inputs for real-time decision-making and networked operations via modern data links compatible with NATO standards.[18] The electronic warfare suite includes integrated countermeasures such as decoy launchers, jammers, and electronic support measures for threat detection and neutralization, with Thales and Leonardo providing modular systems tailored to national configurations that enhance survivability against missiles and radar-guided weapons.[37] These capabilities support distributed lethality in networked warfare, as demonstrated in NATO drills involving real-time data sharing among allied assets.[38]

Aviation and mission systems

The FREMM frigates incorporate dedicated aviation facilities at the stern, including a flight deck spanning approximately 520 m² capable of supporting simultaneous operations for two medium helicopters, and an enclosed hangar for maintenance and storage. These provisions enable the embarkation and deployment of rotary-wing assets primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, with the hangar sized to accommodate one NH90 NFH (Naval Frigate Helicopter) or equivalent platform such as the AW101 in compatible configurations.[1][16] The integration of such helicopters extends the vessel's sensor reach through dipping sonars and airborne radars, allowing for persistent submerged threat detection beyond the limitations of hull-mounted systems alone.[8] Mission systems emphasize modularity in aviation operations, with provisions for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to augment manned helicopter roles in ISR and over-the-horizon targeting. For instance, later upgrades include compatibility for systems like the ScanEagle UAV, launched from the deck to provide extended endurance for real-time data collection without risking crewed assets.[39] Advanced data links facilitate sensor fusion between embarked air assets, shipboard radars, and external platforms, enabling networked ASW operations where helicopter-detected contacts are shared for coordinated responses. This architecture supports hybrid warfare scenarios by integrating aviation-derived intelligence into the frigate's combat management system, thereby enhancing overall mission flexibility and threat response times.[40]

Variants and national adaptations

Shared platform features

The FREMM class employs a modular hull and systems architecture that facilitates reconfiguration between anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and general purpose (GP) missions through interchangeable components and spacious internal layouts, including increased headroom, deeper engine compartments, and larger equipment pathways for enhanced maintainability and future upgrades.[1][3] This design commonality across variants promotes interoperability and reduces through-life support costs by standardizing core platform elements.[1] Advanced automation integrated into the platform's combat management and integrated bridge systems enables a reduced core crew size of approximately 108 to 145 personnel, depending on mission configuration and nationality adaptations, while providing capacity for up to 200 including detachments.[1][3] These systems optimize operational efficiency and minimize manpower requirements compared to predecessor frigates.[1] All FREMM frigates utilize a combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) propulsion system for balanced performance in stealthy ASW operations and high-speed transits, comprising one 32 MW General Electric/Avio LM2500+G4 gas turbine, two electric motors (each rated at 2.2-2.5 MW), four diesel generator sets, and fixed-pitch propellers driving twin shafts.[1][3] This configuration achieves maximum speeds exceeding 27 knots in gas turbine mode, silent electric propulsion up to 15-16 knots, and a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots.[1][3] The platform incorporates survivability enhancements such as robust compartmentalization with extended watertight sections and construction to military standards like RINAMIL, contributing to resilience against damage; nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection systems are standard to safeguard personnel during operations in hazardous environments.[1][3] Vertical launch system (VLS) integration, typically using Sylver A43 or A50 modules, provides a standardized launch capability for missiles across configurations, supporting NATO interoperability.[1]

French-specific configurations

The French FREMM frigates, designated as the Aquitaine class, prioritize anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities in their primary variants, featuring the CAPTAS-4 variable-depth towed array sonar for long-range submarine detection and the UMS 4110 hull-mounted sonar for close-range tracking.[8][41] These systems enable persistent underwater surveillance in open-ocean environments, such as the Atlantic, where the frigates operate with NH90 NFH (Caiman Marine) helicopters equipped with the FLASH dipping sonar for extended ASW reach beyond the ship's hull limitations.[8][42] In contrast, the two general-purpose (GP) air defense variants, Alsace (D656) and Lorraine (D657), incorporate optimizations for anti-air warfare (AAW), including upgraded combat management systems and enhanced radar integration to protect carrier strike groups.[43][44] Delivered in 2021 and 2022 respectively, these ships feature 32 SYLVER vertical launch system (VLS) cells primarily allocated for Aster 15 and Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, with demonstrated effectiveness in intercepting supersonic targets during trials on October 7, 2025.[27][13] All French variants integrate national armaments for surface and land-attack roles, including eight Exocet MM40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles for over-the-horizon strikes and up to 16 MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval) cruise missiles in the A70 VLS cells for precision strikes against land targets at ranges exceeding 1,000 km.[45][46] The MdCN, derived from the SCALP-EG, achieved initial operational capability on FREMM platforms in 2017.[45] Operational data indicates robust performance, with the French Navy reporting approximately 80% availability rates for first-rank surface combatants, including FREMM frigates, enabling sustained deployments in maritime security missions as of early 2025.[47] These vessels have supported extended patrols, such as the Bretagne's 2024 Indo-Pacific deployment, demonstrating reliability in power projection and cooperative operations.[48]

Italian-specific configurations

The Italian Bergamini-class frigates, part of the FREMM program, are produced in two primary configurations: General Purpose (GP) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), optimized for multi-mission roles in the Mediterranean theater, including anti-surface strikes and land-attack operations. The GP variant equips four vessels with a forward Leonardo Oto Melara 127/64 mm Lightweight gun, designed for precision fire support using Vulcano guided extended-range munitions capable of reaching over 100 km against coastal targets. Aft, a 76/62 mm Super Rapid gun provides close-in defense. Anti-ship capability is provided by eight Otomat-Teseo Mk 2/E missiles launched from dedicated canisters, offering a range in excess of 180 km with sea-skimming trajectories and inertial/GPS guidance for versatile surface and land-attack missions.[49] Vertical launch systems house 16 Aster 15/30 surface-to-air missiles for air defense.[17] In contrast, the ASW configuration, comprising six vessels including recent enhancements, substitutes the forward 127 mm gun with a 76 mm Super Rapid for streamlined submarine hunting, integrating advanced sonar systems like the Leonardo Black Shark towed array for underwater threat detection.[6] These frigates embark NH90 NFH helicopters armed with MU-90 impact torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets, enhancing acoustic sensor deployment and prosecution in littoral environments.[18] Both variants leverage Leonardo's integrated combat management system for sensor fusion, emphasizing modularity that supports rapid reconfiguration for export markets by accommodating alternative armaments and mission modules without structural redesign.[19] The tenth Bergamini-class frigate, Emilio Bianchi (F 589), an ASW-enhanced unit, was delivered to the Italian Navy on July 30, 2025, three months ahead of schedule, incorporating upgraded electronics and weapon integrations to bolster fleet versatility.[50] This configuration underscores Italy's focus on balancing anti-access/area denial with expeditionary strike potential, leveraging domestic Leonardo and MBDA technologies for sovereignty in key subsystems.[51]
VariantForward GunKey Anti-SurfaceHelicopterPrimary Focus
GP (4 units)127/64 mm Vulcano-capable8 × Teseo Mk 2/E (>180 km)NH90Land-attack, multi-mission
ASW (6 units)76/62 mmTorpedo emphasisNH90 NFHSubmarine warfare, sonar integration

Procurement and international sales

Domestic fleet acquisitions

The French Navy initially planned for 17 FREMM frigates but reduced the order to 11 in 2005 before further cutting it to eight anti-submarine warfare (ASW)-optimized variants in 2015 to align with budget constraints and shifting priorities toward interim surface combatants.[13] The program, managed through the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), emphasized cost control, with an original unit price target of approximately €388.5 million per ship based on larger production volumes.[12] All eight frigates were delivered between 2012 and November 2022, with the final unit, Lorraine, accepted on November 16, 2022, achieving a delivery rate that supported the class's role as the backbone of France's surface fleet despite some program-wide adjustments.[52] This timeline reflected efficient joint production at Naval Group's Lorient facility, maintaining unit costs below €500 million and validating the collaborative framework's value in sustaining domestic shipbuilding capabilities.[12] The Italian Navy ordered ten FREMM frigates under the initial 2005 program—comprising four general-purpose (GP), four ASW, and two enhanced ASW variants—at a total program cost of €5.9 billion, with €4.5 billion funded through 2006–2007 defense budgets to replace aging Maestrale- and Lupo-class ships while bolstering Fincantieri's industrial base.[17][19] Construction proceeded on schedule at Fincantieri's integrated yards in Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, with the tenth and final initial unit, Emilio Bianchi, delivered on July 30, 2025, via OCCAR handover, marking full completion of the core fleet without major delays.[53] Average unit costs remained under €600 million, underscoring the program's efficiency in leveraging shared Franco-Italian design elements for sustained national production.[17] In July 2024, Italy exercised an option for two additional evolved (FREMM EVO) GP variants through Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, at a contract value of €1.5 billion, to maintain fleet numbers amid transfers and ensure long-term workload for domestic yards, with deliveries planned for 2029 and 2030.[54][55] This extension, incorporating upgraded sensors and armament, prioritizes industrial continuity over immediate operational needs, with subcontracts to Fincantieri (€690 million) and Leonardo (€415 million) reinforcing Italy's defense manufacturing ecosystem.[54] ![Italian FREMM frigate Bergamini][float-right] Overall, the domestic acquisitions demonstrated high on-time delivery rates—near 100% for core units—and unit costs averaging below €500 million for baseline variants, affirming the joint program's success in delivering capable frigates while preserving bilateral shipbuilding sovereignty.[56][12]

Successful export contracts

The FREMM frigate program achieved its first major export success with Egypt, which signed a contract on August 28, 2020, for two Bergamini-class frigates originally built for the Italian Navy.[57] Valued at approximately €1.2 billion, the deal involved the transfer of the Spartaco Schergat (renamed ENS Al-Galala, FFG-1002) and Emilio Bianchi, each sold for €990 million after removal of NATO-specific equipment.[58] These vessels enhance Egypt's naval capabilities for securing the Red Sea and Mediterranean approaches, providing advanced anti-submarine and surface warfare features.[59] Indonesia formalized its acquisition of two FREMM-class frigates through a contract signed on April 17, 2024, with Italy's Fincantieri, marking the first export outside Europe.[60] The agreement, building on a 2021 framework for up to six units, focuses on the general-purpose variant to bolster Indonesia's archipelagic defense and patrol missions in contested waters.[61] Delivery of the first vessel is anticipated by 2029, leveraging the platform's modular design for regional interoperability.[62] Greece secured a preliminary agreement on September 29, 2025, for the purchase of two active-duty Italian FREMM Bergamini-class frigates, with an option for two more, valued at around $1.2 billion total.[63] Signed during naval cooperation talks in La Spezia, the deal transfers in-service ships to rapidly augment Greece's fleet amid Mediterranean tensions, emphasizing NATO-compatible systems and quick integration.[64] This transaction allows Italy to replace the vessels with upgraded FREMM EVO models.[65]
CountryQuantityContract DateValueStrategic Purpose
Egypt2August 2020€1.2 billionRed Sea and Mediterranean security
Indonesia2April 2024UndisclosedArchipelagic defense and patrols
Greece2 (+2 option)September 2025$1.2 billionNATO-aligned Mediterranean ops
These exports underscore the FREMM's appeal due to its mature combat management system and proven interoperability, enabling buyers to acquire capable platforms without extensive domestic development.[9]

Failed or abandoned bids

In the Canadian Surface Combatant program, aimed at acquiring 15 frigates, Naval Group and Fincantieri submitted a joint unsolicited proposal based on the FREMM design in December 2017. The bid was rejected by the Canadian government for being filed outside the formal competitive framework, which mandated partnerships with domestic shipbuilders to ensure local industrial benefits and technology transfer. Canada instead awarded the contract in 2018 to Irving Shipbuilding in collaboration with BAE Systems, selecting a variant of the Type 26 frigate to prioritize Canadian content requirements and supply chain integration.[66][67] The United States Navy's FFG(X) frigate competition in April 2020 downselected Fincantieri's offering, which used the Italian FREMM as its parent design, over rivals including a Lockheed Martin variant of the Freedom-class littoral combat ship. Intended to leverage the mature FREMM platform for rapid development, the resulting Constellation-class has undergone extensive redesigns to accommodate American combat systems, increased displacement for enhanced capabilities, and compliance with U.S. Navy specifications, diverging substantially from the baseline FREMM. These changes have contributed to persistent design instability, with the lead ship USS Constellation (FFG-62 delayed by at least three years from its original timeline and exceeding target weight by approximately 13% as of mid-2025, underscoring challenges in adapting the European design to non-European procurement preferences for sovereign modifications.[68][69][70] Other potential markets, such as Australia and Brazil, favored designs emphasizing local construction and alternative global offerings like the Type 26, reflecting broader patterns where non-European navies prioritize domestic industrial offsets over direct FREMM imports despite the platform's proven capabilities.[71]

Operational deployment and performance

French Navy service

The lead ship Aquitaine (D650) participated in Operation Chammal, France's contribution to the international coalition against the Islamic State, conducting patrols and support missions in the Eastern Mediterranean starting from its first operational deployment completed on March 25, 2016.[72] During this ongoing operation, Aquitaine encountered aggressive maneuvers by Russian aircraft in April 2018, highlighting its role in maintaining maritime security amid contested airspace.[73] Similarly, Normandie (D963) integrated into carrier strike groups for Chammal missions, as seen in its February 2020 deployment alongside Charles de Gaulle in the Eastern Mediterranean.[74] FREMM air defense variants, such as Lorraine (D657), have demonstrated advanced missile interception capabilities, with successful live firings of the Aster 30 surface-to-air missile in March 2023 during operational testing.[75] These frigates routinely participate in NATO-led exercises emphasizing layered air defense, including trials that validated Aster's performance against complex aerial threats, contributing to alliance-wide proficiency in ballistic and supersonic intercept scenarios.[76] In October 2025, Lorraine conducted counter-drone warfare drills, employing electronic jamming and kinetic intercepts to simulate responses to unmanned aerial threats.[77] The French Navy reports an availability rate exceeding 80% for its FREMM fleet as part of first-rank surface combatants, enabling sustained operational tempo through dual-crewing initiatives and maintenance optimizations implemented by early 2025.[47] This high readiness supports seamless integration with Charles de Gaulle carrier strike groups, where FREMMs provide anti-air and anti-submarine escorts; for instance, air defense variants like Alsace are specifically tasked with protecting the carrier from long-range threats during deployments.[43] In anti-submarine warfare, FREMM frigates have excelled in joint operations, earning the U.S. Navy's "Hook'em Award" multiple times for ASW superiority in support of 6th Fleet activities, including simulated hunts during multinational exercises.[8] During RIMPAC 2024, a French FREMM logged 23 hours of underwater warfare drills alongside U.S. and allied forces, demonstrating effective torpedo and sonar integration for submarine deterrence.[78] These performances underscore the class's value in power projection and collective defense scenarios.[79]

Italian Navy service

The Italian Navy operates ten Bergamini-class frigates, comprising six anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variants and four general purpose (GP) variants, with the final ship, Emilio Bianchi (F 589), delivered on July 31, 2025.[19] These vessels have demonstrated high operational availability, supporting routine Mediterranean patrols and NATO maritime security missions.[80] Bergamini-class frigates have been actively deployed in EU Operation Aspides in the Red Sea since early 2024 to counter Houthi threats to international shipping. The frigate Martinengo (F 596) assumed command of the operation's task force in February 2024, coordinating escort and protection efforts.[81] On April 30, 2024, Virginio Fasan (F 591) intercepted and shot down a Houthi drone targeting a merchant vessel, validating the class's air defense capabilities in contested environments.[82] Subsequent engagements included another successful UAV neutralization by a Bergamini-class unit in May 2024.[83] In the Mediterranean, ASW-configured Bergamini frigates such as Carabiniere (F 593) and Margottini (F 592) participate in NATO exercises focused on submarine hunting and joint interoperability.[84] These include Dynamic Manta drills, emphasizing detection and tracking in the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, and routine patrols like those conducted by Margottini in the central Mediterranean in December 2024 to ensure maritime domain awareness.[85] Such deployments underscore the frigates' multi-mission versatility, contributing to NATO's collective defense posture against submarine threats.[19]

Export operator experiences

The Royal Moroccan Navy commissioned its FREMM frigate Mohammed VI in September 2014 following intensive sea trials off the French coast from 2013 onward, which validated the vessel's sensor performance, propulsion systems, and multi-mission capabilities under real-sea conditions.[86][87] These trials emphasized adaptations for regional threats, including anti-submarine warfare and surface engagements suited to the Strait of Gibraltar and Atlantic approaches, with the ship achieving contractual performance benchmarks prior to handover.[88] Operational integration has focused on enhancing Morocco's blue-water projection, though detailed post-commissioning performance data remains classified or unreleased in open sources, limiting assessments to builder confirmations of system reliability.[89] Egypt's acquisition of two Italian FREMM general-purpose frigates—originally built as Spartaco Schergat and Emilio Bianchi—in 2020 marked a shift to high-end surface combatants for Mediterranean and Red Sea operations, with deliveries occurring between 2023 and 2025 as replacements for aging vessels.[90][91] Initial sea trials for these ships, conducted under Fincantieri oversight, confirmed compatibility with Egyptian command-and-control architectures and regional threat profiles, such as asymmetric surface threats and smuggling interdiction.[92] Crew training programs, leveraging standardized NATO interoperable systems, enabled rapid familiarization, with reports indicating accelerated integration timelines compared to bespoke designs; however, comprehensive in-service performance metrics are sparse, reflecting the recency of operational entry.[93] Indonesia's planned procurement of up to six FREMM variants under a 2021 framework agreement with Fincantieri remains in early construction phases as of 2025, with no vessels yet commissioned and thus no operational experiences to evaluate.[94][95] Export operator feedback overall highlights the platform's adaptability for non-European navies through modular configurations, but empirical data on sustained deployments is constrained by short service histories and security classifications, with simulations and trial outcomes suggesting parity in core capabilities like anti-air and anti-surface warfare relative to French and Italian baselines.[96]

Challenges, criticisms, and limitations

Development delays and cost overruns

The FREMM program's initial phases saw delivery delays for lead ships, primarily affecting the French and Italian variants. The first French FREMM, Aquitaine, entered service in late 2012, one year behind the planned 2011 start for initial deliveries.[97] The Italian lead ship, Carlo Bergamini, followed in May 2013, similarly delayed from an expected 2011 commissioning amid parallel production hurdles.[98] These slips arose from difficulties in achieving the targeted production rhythm—one ship every seven to ten months—due to financing constraints and the inherent complexities of integrating multi-mission systems, including the Herakles multifunction radar, Sylver vertical launchers, and adaptable combat management architectures designed to counter emerging threats like advanced submarines and missiles.[97] Budgetary pressures emerged as the program scaled back ambitions, with the original 2005 memorandum envisioning 27 frigates across both nations for roughly €10 billion; France's portion contracted for 17 units at €6.5 billion but was reduced to 11 (nine anti-submarine and two air-defense variants) at €7 billion, yielding a net ~10% escalation despite fewer hulls, driven by prolonged timelines necessitating extended upkeep of predecessor vessels like the Georges Leygues-class.[97] Italian procurement for ten ships totaled €5.9 billion, with per-unit costs stabilizing at approximately €598 million, below inflated projections from early overruns.[19] Such variances reflected causal factors like supply chain synchronization for dual-nation production rather than systemic inefficiency, as the modular design's ambition to incorporate scalable anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine payloads demanded iterative testing against evolving operational demands, including preliminary adaptations for high-speed threats. Relative to contemporaries, FREMM's execution outperformed the U.S. Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) initiative, where unit costs ballooned from $220 million to over $500 million amid chronic integration failures and module delays, per Congressional Budget Office assessments; FREMM achieved comparable multi-role versatility with contained per-tonne expenditures and fewer cascading disruptions.[99][100] Subsequent Italian extensions, including two enhanced EVO variants ordered in 2024, proceed without reported slippage, targeting 2029–2030 deliveries and underscoring matured processes for future iterations.[7]

Export adaptation difficulties

The United States Navy's selection of a FREMM-derived design for its Constellation-class frigates in April 2020 illustrated significant adaptation challenges, as extensive modifications eroded the platform's proven attributes. Intended to retain approximately 85% commonality with the Italian FREMM to expedite development and control costs, the final design achieved only 15% commonality due to demands for enhanced capabilities, including vertical launch systems for more missiles and integration of American combat systems.[101][102] This redesign contributed to substantial delays, with the lead ship, Constellation (FFG-62), facing a three-year postponement by early 2025, pushing delivery to 2029 amid ongoing design instability.[70][103] Compounding these issues, unplanned weight growth exceeded 759 metric tons—over 10% above target—primarily from added armaments and sensors, straining the propulsion system and prompting consideration of reduced speed requirements from the original 26+ knots to below 25 knots.[69][104] Such over-customization highlights how buyer-specific enhancements can undermine the FREMM's baseline efficiency, as the platform's advantages in speed, stealth, and modularity derive from its standardized architecture, which extensive alterations disrupt without proportional gains in operational utility.[105] Canada's rejection of a 2017 unsolicited FREMM proposal from Fincantieri and Naval Group further underscores export hurdles tied to sovereignty and industrial priorities over direct adaptation feasibility. The offer promised fixed-price delivery of 15 frigates but was declined due to non-compliance with requirements for domestic construction and technology transfer, prioritizing national shipbuilding autonomy despite potential cost savings of up to $32 billion.[66][106] This case exemplifies how geopolitical and economic imperatives can preclude even viable adaptations, favoring bespoke designs like the Type 26 despite higher risks and timelines. In contrast, Egypt's acquisition of two Italian-built FREMMs in 2020—Tahya Misr and Bernees—demonstrated successful minimal adaptation, involving primarily national markings, damage control upgrades, and radar enhancements without fundamental redesigns. Delivered by late 2021 after sea trials, these vessels integrated seamlessly into Egyptian service, affirming the FREMM's robustness when export demands align closely with the core design rather than imposing transformative changes that amplify integration risks.[107][58] Thus, empirical evidence points to excessive customization by buyers, not inherent platform flaws, as the primary barrier to efficient exports.

Future enhancements and successors

EVO upgrade program

The FREMM EVO program represents an evolutionary upgrade to the Italian Navy's Bergamini-class frigates, focusing on integrating advanced technologies to counter contemporary maritime threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). In July 2024, the Italian Ministry of Defence awarded a €1.5 billion contract to Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a joint venture between Fincantieri and Leonardo, for the construction of two FREMM EVO units configured primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) with enhanced multi-domain capabilities.[55][54] Construction of the lead ship commenced in April 2025 at Fincantieri's Riva Trigoso shipyard, with keel-laying activities marking the initial structural assembly.[108] Deliveries are scheduled for 2029 and 2030, overseen by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) to ensure alignment with operational requirements.[109] These vessels retain the core modularity of the original FREMM design while incorporating a cyber-resilient ship management system and upgraded command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) architecture for improved data fusion and decision-making.[110] Key enhancements emphasize defense against drone swarms and unmanned systems, including dedicated sensors for detection, identification, and soft-kill neutralization via electronic warfare jammers and directed energy countermeasures.[7] The frigates will support operational management of unmanned platforms across air, surface, and subsurface domains, enabling coordinated missions without increasing crew size beyond the baseline of approximately 145 personnel.[111] Armament upgrades include integration of two Naval Group Sylver A70 vertical launch systems with 8 cells each for Aster missiles, enhancing ballistic missile defense potential alongside ASW effectors like torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.[6] Strategically, the EVO variants address empirical gaps in peer-competitor capabilities observed in conflicts involving Russia and China, such as pervasive UAV employment, by prioritizing proven countermeasures over speculative systems. This approach extends the FREMM class's service life into the 2040s through targeted, cost-effective retrofits applicable to existing hulls where feasible, while bolstering Italy's contribution to NATO's high-end warfighting needs.[7][19]

Potential new builds and exports

In July 2024, Italy contracted two FREMM EVO frigates from Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, with steel cutting for the first unit occurring in April 2025 and keel laying in July 2025 at Fincantieri's Riva Trigoso shipyard; these enhancements include improved sensors, extended range to 6,800 nautical miles, and speeds up to 35 knots, positioning them as advanced multipurpose platforms for the Italian Navy.[112][113][114] The €1.5 billion contract for these units underscores ongoing industrial capacity, with deliveries anticipated post-2027 to sustain fleet modernization amid regional security demands.[115] The September 2025 memorandum of understanding between Italy and Greece for the transfer of two in-service Bergamini-class FREMM frigates, valued at approximately €600 million total, creates scope for Italy to order two additional EVO variants to replenish its fleet, leveraging Fincantieri's production lines and NATO interoperability advantages over lower-cost Asian competitors like those from South Korea or China.[64][65] Potential expansion to four units under the 2+2 option could further incentivize Italian builds, though final pricing below €750 million per new EVO—higher than the €300 million per used vessel for Greece—remains critical for market viability.[63] Export prospects extend to the Middle East, where Saudi Arabia initiated talks with Fincantieri in August 2025 for FREMM-IT variants, driven by Gulf tensions and demand for versatile frigates capable of anti-submarine and surface warfare; success here depends on adapting to regional requirements while undercutting rivals through European supply chain reliability.[116] Indonesia's six-unit order from 2021 nears completion with deliveries through 2025, but no further commitments signal saturation in that market, shifting focus to NATO-aligned buyers where FREMM's proven capabilities justify premiums over €600 million per unit only if tied to strategic partnerships.[61][65]

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