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 The French frigateSurcouf | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | La Fayette class |
| Builders | DCNS |
| Operators | |
| Preceded by | Floréal class |
| Succeeded by | Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention |
| Subclasses |
|
| In commission | 1996–present |
| Completed | 20 |
| Active | 20 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | General purposefrigate |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 125 m (410 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 15.4 m (50 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.1 m (13 ft 5 in) |
| Propulsion | 4 dieselSEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2, 21,000 hp (16,000 kW) |
| Speed | 25 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph) |
| Range |
|
| Endurance | 50 days of food |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 2 × ETN boats |
| Capacity | 350 t (340 long tons; 390 short tons) of fuel, 80 m3 (2,800 cu ft) of kerosene, 60 t (59 long tons; 66 short tons) of potable water |
| Complement | 164+;[1] around 6 additional personnel onCourbet,La Fayette andAconit post-upgrade[2] |
| Sensors & processing systems |
|
| Armament |
|
| Armour | On sensitive areas (munition magazine and control centre) |
| Aircraft carried | 1 × helicopter (Panther orNH90) |
TheLa Fayette class (also known asFL-3000 for "Frégate Légère de 3,000 tonnes", orFLF forFrégate Légère Furtive) is aclass of general purposefrigates built byDCNS in the 1980s and 1990s, operated by theFrench Navy and three other navies. Derivatives of the type are in service in the navies ofSaudi Arabia,Singapore, andTaiwan.
The ships were originally known as "stealth frigates" due to their uniquestealth design at the time. Their reducedradar cross section is achieved by a cleansuperstructure compared to conventional designs, angled sides andradar absorbent material, a composite material of wood and glass fibre as hard as steel, light, and resistant to fire. Most modern combat ships built since the introduction of theLa Fayette class have followed the same principles of stealth.
All information gathered by the onboard sensors is managed by the Information Processing System, the electronic brain of the operation centre of the ship. It is completed by an electronic command aid system.
The ships are designed to accommodate a 10-tonne (9.8-long-ton; 11-short-ton) helicopter in thePanther orNH90 range (though they are also capable of operating theSuper Frelon and similar heavy helicopters). These helicopters can carryanti-ship missiles AM39 or AS15, and they can be launched duringsea state five or six due to the Samahé helicopter handling system. France ordered five ships of theLa Fayette class in 1988, the last of which entered service in 2001. In the French Navy, they are being incrementally superseded in "first-rank" functions by fivefrégates de taille intermédiaire (FTI, "intermediate size frigates") from 2025.[9][10][11]
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In the late 1980s, theFrench Navy (Marine Nationale) started the studies forfrigates adapted to low-intensity conflicts in the post–Cold War era. The ships were to serve in the large Frenchexclusive economic zone (EEZ), be adapted to humanitarian operations or low-intensity operations in support of land troops, and replace the agingD'Estienne d'Orves-classavisos, which tended to prove too focused on naval operations and were ill-suited for joint operations.
Conventional warships used in low-intensity or humanitarian relief operations proved costly, with their heavy equipment and large crew. Hence came the requirement for lightly armed frigates with economical engines and small crew. In Italy, the same requirements led to the development of theCassiopea andMinerva typecorvettes, built according to both civilian and military standards. These ships were limited to 1,300tonnes (1,300long tons; 1,400short tons) because the limited size and depth of theMediterranean Sea and the proximity of the homeland. The French Navy, on the other hand, had to be present in overseas territories, bases and EEZ. To be enduring enough, the ships had to reach 3,000 tonnes (3,000 long tons; 3,300 short tons), the size of a frigate. The larger displacement allows combining strong firepower (like theMinerva class) and a capacity for a medium helicopter (like theCassiopea class), along with a good autonomy and seaworthiness.
The first type of ships built on these principles were theFloréal-class frigates, built on civilian standards, with a limited armament, and carrying a medium helicopter. These ships are high endurance units designed to be operated in overseas territories in theCaribbean Sea,Polynesia, andNew Caledonia and the EEZ, where the likelihood of a naval threat is low. The speed is limited to 20knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) because of the low-power engines which emphasised autonomy and reliability. To fightpirates in fastrigid-hulled inflatable boats, theFloréals rely on their onboard helicopter and marine detachment.
The niche for more hostile environments is covered by theLa Fayette type, designed to operate in complex zones like theIndian Ocean orDjibouti. These ships were to be able to secure the EEZ, but also to operate in naval groups or intelligence gathering missions. The intended role for the ships was in fact very varied, because the experience of the C.70 class, with an intended 20 ships cut down to only nine (the sevenGeorges Leygues-class frigates and twoCassard-class frigates) had taught that project downsizing and reorganisation could lead to badly balanced naval capabilities. The new ships were to benefit from breakthroughs instealth ("furtivité") achieved by the DCN in the 1980s.
It took several years to refine the concept, and the first ship was eventually launched in 1992, two years after the final design was completed. Weapon system testing took place in 1994, and particularly extensive trials were undertaken to prove the structure of the ship under a wide range of conditions.[citation needed]La Fayette was eventuallycommissioned in March 1996.
At the time of their commissioning, the units of theLa Fayette class were the state of the art[citation needed] in stealth for warships. The shape of the hull and thesuperstructures is devised for the optimal reduction of theradar signature.Stealth is achieved with inclined flanks, as few vertical lines as possible, and very clean lines and superstructures: stairs and mooring equipment are internal, and prominent structures are covered by clear surfaces. The superstructures are built using radar-absorbent synthetic materials.
Their radar cross-section is equivalent to that of a large fishing boat[citation needed], which can make camouflage among civilian ships possible; or that of a much less capable corvette, which could lead an enemy to underestimate the capabilities of the ship. In case of a direct attack, the small radar signature helps evade enemy missiles and fire control systems.[citation needed] TheLa Fayettes are also equipped with jammers that can generate false radar images, as well as decoy launchers.
Thanks to the adoption of low-power diesel motors and a special heat dissipation system, theLa Fayette ships have a low thermal signature. The usualfunnel is replaced with a small sets of pipes, aft of the mast, which cool the exit gas before it is released. The ships usually operate in warm areas, which further decreases the thermal contrast with the environment.
The magnetic signature is reduced by the presence of ademagnetisation belt.[citation needed]
The acoustic signature is minimized by mounting the engines onelastomeric supports, which minimize vibration transfers to the hull, and by rubber coatings on the propellers. TheLa Fayettes are equipped with the Prairie Masker active acoustic camouflage system, which generates small bubbles from underneath the hull to confuse sonars.
The superstructure is made of light alloy and glass-reinforced plastic, which allow a reduction in top weight. This provides adequate but sub-optimal resistance to fire. Vital zones are armoured inKevlar, and important systems are redundant. The crew is protected againstbiological, chemical, and nuclear environments.
The ships were built with amodular inner structure from eleven prefabricated modules which were completed at the factory, delivered to the shipyard and assembled there. This technique results in a construction time of less than two years.
The hull has a pronounced angle at thestem, with a shortforecastle that integrates directly into the superstructure. The ship's sides have a negative inclination of ten degrees. The single anchor is located exactly on the stem, into which it is completely recessed. The deck where the seamanship equipment and capstans are installed is internal in order to hide it from radar.
The superstructure is built in one piece and directly integrates into the hull, with only a change in inclination. A platform is located between the main gun and the bridge. The superstructure runs continuously down to the helicopter hangar, on top of which short-rangeanti-aircraftCrotale missiles were initially installed (being replaced on three ships in the early 2020s with the SADRAL/Mistral system).
The ships feature two masts. The main mast has a pyramidal structure which integrates funnels and supports the antenna of the Syracuse military communications satellite system, while the second supports the main radar.
Three of the French Navy frigates (La Fayette,Courbet andAconit) were selected to receive mid-life upgrades extending their useful service lives into the early 2030s. The three frigates are receiving KingKlip Mk2 hull-mounted sonar to incorporate an anti-submarine capability, modernized point air defence systems (consisting of two renovated SADRAL launchers, removed from the retiredGeorges Leygues class, and operating Mistral Mk3 SAMs/SSMs) as well as other improvements including the ability to carry the latest version of the Exocet anti-ship missile andCANTO anti-torpedo countermeasures (initially fitted first toLa Fayette when she received her upgrade in 2021–22).[12][4] The upgrades increase the displacement of the ships by some 80 tonnes (79 long tons; 88 short tons)[13] and will permit the three ships to operate through the 2020s and be retired between 2031 and 2034.[6][11][14] The first vessel,Courbet, began her conversion refit in October 2020.[15] She returned to sea in June 2021.[7] In October 2021,La Fayette began her planned refit[16] and in November 2022 was declared operational again upon its completion.[17][18] In February 2023Aconit, the last of the frigates to be upgraded, began her life extension refit.[19] She was relaunched in July and was expected to be fully operational again in 2024.
The other two vessels of the class (Surcouf andGuépratte) were scheduled to undergo more modest structural and technical upgrades (with the elderly Crotale SAM to be removed), and be withdrawn from service in 2027 and 2031 respectively.[11] With somewhat reduced general purpose capability, it had been anticipated that the two ships would be re-assigned to offshore patrol duties for the remainder of their service life.[20] Initially there was some uncertainty as to whether the change in role would take place.[21] However, it was later reported thatGuépratte and her sister shipSurcouf would undertake the offshore patrol role in order to fill a gap created by the delayed arrival of thePatrouilleurs Hauturiers OPVs.[22] It was also subsequently reported that both frigates would be extended in service for five years, to 2032 and 2036 respectively.[23]
TheLa Fayette-class units are being incrementally complemented, and will be eventually replaced, in first rank functions in the French Navy by the FDI-class frigates.[9]
| La Fayette class | ||||||
| Number | Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F 710 | La Fayette | DCN Lorient | 13 June 1992 | 22 March 1996 | In active service | |
| F 711 | Surcouf | 3 July 1993 | 7 February 1997 | In active service | ||
| F 712 | Courbet | 12 March 1994 | 1 April 1997 | In active service | ||
| F 713 | Aconit | 8 June 1997 | 3 June 1999 | In active service | ||
| F 714 | Guépratte | 3 March 1999 | 27 October 2001 | In active service | ||
The threeAl Riyadh-class ships are an expanded anti-air version of the FrenchLa Fayette class, displacing about 4,700 tonnes (4,600 long tons; 5,200 short tons) and extended to 133 m (436 ft 4 in) in length.[24]
The ships' combat systems are produced by Armaris (a DCN/Thales joint venture) and are armed with theAster 15 missile. The Aster missiles use the DCNSYLVER launcher. As with theLa Fayette class the primary offensive weapon is the anti-surfaceExocet missile. The ships' main gun is theOto Melara 76 mm/62 Super Rapid gun replacing the 100 mm TR automatic gun. There are also four 533 mm (21.0 in) afttorpedo tubes. The ship is armed with the DCNSF17 heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo.
The ships are capable of a maximum speed of 24.5 knots (45.4 km/h; 28.2 mph) with a maximum range of 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km; 8,100 mi).[24]
| Al Riyadh class | ||||||
| Number | Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 812 | Al Riyadh | DCN Lorient | 26 July 2002 | In active service | ||
| 814 | Makkah | 23 April 2004 | In active service | |||
| 816 | Al Dammam | 23 October 2004 | In active service | |||
_and_INS_Brahmaputra_(F_31).jpg)
TheRepublic of Singapore Navy's sixFormidable-class frigates are of comparable size to theLa Fayette class but differ from that class and the SaudiAl Riyadh class in the armament carried: in place of the Exocet is the BoeingHarpoon. The main gun is a stealth cupola equipped with anOto Melara 76 mm gun replacing the 100 mm TR automatic gun. TheFormidable class also uses the SYLVER launcher/Aster missile combination.
The first ship, RSSFormidable, was built by DCN, while the remaining ships were constructed by Singapore Technologies Marine.
Anti-submarine capability includesS-70B Seahawk helicopters.
Maximum speed is 27 kn (50 km/h; 31 mph), making it the fastest variant. The ships have a maximum range of 4,200 nmi (7,800 km; 4,800 mi).
| Number | Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | Formidable | DCNS | 2002 | 7 January 2004 | 5 May 2007 | In active service |
| 69 | Intrepid | ST Engineering (Marine) | 3 July 2004 | 5 February 2008 | In active service | |
| 70 | Steadfast | 15 July 2005 | 5 February 2008 | In active service | ||
| 71 | Tenacious | 15 July 2005 | 5 February 2008 | In active service | ||
| 72 | Stalwart | 9 December 2005 | 16 January 2009 | In active service | ||
| 73 | Supreme | 9 May 2006 | 16 January 2009 | In active service |
_20151024.jpg)
As the Republic of China (Taiwan)'s defensive stance is aimed towards theTaiwan Strait, the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy is constantly seeking to upgrade its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The US$1.75 billion agreement with France in the early 1990s was an example of this procurement strategy:[25] the six ships are configured for both ASW and surface attack. The Exocet was replaced by Taiwan-developedHsiung Feng II anti-ship missile and the AAW weapon is theSea Chaparral. The main gun is an Oto Melara 76 mm/62 mk 75 gun, similar to its Singaporean counterparts, theFormidable-class frigates. Some problems in the integration of Taiwanese and French systems had been reported. The frigate carries a single Sikorsky S-70C(M)-1/2 ASW helicopter.
In 2021 it was reported that the Republic of China (Taiwan) would upgrade theKang Ding class. It was reported that theMIM-72 Chaparral surface-to-air missile defence system will be replaced by the indigenousSky Sword II andSky Bow III. It was also reported that the upgrade of the battle system will also be involved.[26]
The class's maximum speed is 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) with a maximum range of 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi).
The class's Mk 75 main guns have been upgraded and have an improved firing rate of 100 rounds a minute.[27]
| Number | Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFG-1202 | Kang Ding (康定) | DCNS | 1993 | 22 March 1994 | 24 May 1996 | In active service |
| PFG-1203 | Si Ning (西寧) | 1994 | 5 November 1994 | 5 October 1996 | In active service | |
| PFG-1205 | Kun Ming (昆明) | 1994 | 13 May 1995 | 26 February 1997 | In active service | |
| PFG-1206 | Di Hua (迪化) | 1995 | 27 November 1995 | 14 August 1997 | In active service | |
| PFG-1207 | Wu Chang (武昌) | 1995 | 27 November 1995 | 16 December 1997 | In active service | |
| PFG-1208 | Chen De (承德) | 1995 | 2 August 1996 | 19 March 1998 | In active service |
 French Navy | |
|---|---|
 Republic of China NavyKang Ding class | |
 Royal Saudi NavyAl Riyadh class | |
 Republic of Singapore NavyFormidable class | |
| |
