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FREMM multipurpose frigate

The FREMM Multipurpose Frigate (French Frégate multi-mission or Italian Fregata Europea Multi-Missione) is a ship designed by DCN and Fincantieri to operate in anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, and be capable of carrying out deep strikes against land targets.

The French Navy plans to operate seventeen FREMM frigates, and the Marina Militare ten. The first commissionings are expected in 2011 when the first of the French vessels is due in service (France has so far placed orders for 11 FREMM frigates, Italy 6 with the last 4 has been funded at the end of 2007). The ships will be built in France by Armaris (owned by DCNS, and in Italy by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (a joint venture between shipbuilder Fincantieri and aerospace firm Finmeccanica). This arrangement extends the partnerships forged for development of the Horizon CNGFs (Common New Generation Frigates). Morocco has bought one frigate to be operated by the Royal Moroccan Navy

France will use 9 frigates to replace the anti-submarine Tourville class frigates (F67 type), the anti-submarine Georges Leygues class frigates (F70 type) and 2 FREDA frigates to replace the two units of the anti-aircraft Cassard class.

Italy will build 4 ASW and 6 general-purpose (GP) frigates to replace the (8) Maestrale and (4) Lupo class frigates.

The first eight French ships have been named Aquitaine, Normandie, Provence, Bretagne, Auvergne, Languedoc, Alsace and Lorraine. The first two Italian ships have been named Carlo Bergamini and Carlo Margottini.

Versions

Three versions of the frigates are planned: one anti-submarine version, one anti-aircraft version (FR) [[FREDA] and a general-purpose (IT) version. French and Italians will use these with some equipment which will differ between the two countries. The French is considering an anti-aircraft version called FREDA, which will replace the two units of the Cassard class.

In spite of the existence of three different versions of the FREMM, their design as well as most of their armament will be similar.

Common armament

MU 90 torpedoes
MM-40 Exocet block 3 (France version)
TeseoOtomat Mk-2/A block 4, for naval and land attack (Italian version)
MBDA Aster SAAM in SYLVER launchers
Otobreda 76 mm Super Rapid gun with Davide ammunition
two light guns (20mm in French version and 25mm in Italian version)
NH90 helicopter, capability for EH101 (Italian version)

Anti-Submarine version

Towed sonar : Captas UMS 4249
Other torpedoes
MILAS ASW missile (Italian ASW FF only)
Multi-beam echo sounder (Italian ASW FF only)

Land attack version

The Land attack version is dubbed GP ("General Purpose")

Otobreda 127/64 LW with Vulcano guided ammution with a range up to 120km (Italian LA only)
SCALP EG Naval cruise missile in Sylver-70 launchers (French LA only)

Anti-air version

The anti-air version is dubbed FREDA ("Frégates de défense aériennes", "Air defence frigate"). Following the cancellation of the third and fourth Horizon class frigates, the French Navy has started studies for an anti-air version of the FREMM, called FREDA. The FREDA should carry 16 Aster 30 and 16 Aster 15. They would also have the standard dotation of one 76 mm gun, two 20 mm guns and 8 Exocet missiles.

French service

The first eight French frigates are to be named

Aquitaine
Normandie
Provence
Bretagne
Auvergne
Languedoc
Alsace
Lorraine

Italian Service

The construction of the first two Italian vessels has begun. The first two ships will be named:

Export

On 10/24/2007 it was announced the Moroccan navy ordered one FREMM through French marketing. The ship will be built in Lorient by DCNS. It will replace the Descubierta class frigate currently used. The contract was reported signed on April, 18 2008 and construction of the Moroccan FREMM began the summer 2008 and is expected to be delivered by 2012 or 2013. On September 7 2008 it was announced the Brazilian armed forces would acquire 6 FREMM for its navy.