Unveiling of the Multi-mission Frigate Aquitaine

[buglerbilly]

(Source: French Ministry of Defence; issued May 4, 2010)

(Issued in French; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)


Aquitaine, the first of 21 FREMM multi-mission frigates on order for the French and Italian navies, was publicly unveiled May 4 in Lorient. (French MoD photo)

LORIENT --- French President Nicolas Sarkozy today attended the "unveiling" of the frigate Aquitaine, the first of eleven new FREMM multi-mission frigates on order for the French Navy, at the DCNS shipyard here.

He was accompanied by Defense Minister Hervé Morin, Industry Minister Christian Estrosi, the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Edouard Guillaud, the Delegate General for Armaments, Laurent Collet-Billon, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Pierre-Francois Forissier.

"Shipbuilding, both civil and military, is a strategic sector for our country. France has extensive know-how in this field that it will not let go,” Sarkozy said.

The FREMM program is Europe’s largest naval program, and is led by France in cooperation with Italy. It is managed by OCCAR, the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation . The program aims to renew the French Navy’s fleet of anti-submarine and anti-aircraft frigates.

The French part of the program consists of nine anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates and two anti-aircraft (FREDA) frigates, bringing to eleven the number of FREMMs ordered for the Navy. All these frigates will be named for French regions (Aquitaine, Normandy, Provence, Brittany, Auvergne, Languedoc, Alsace and Lorraine). Overall, the Franco-Italian program calls for delivery of 21 frigates to the two countries.

FREMM Multimission frigates will form the backbone of the French surface fleet for the long term. They are designed to operate in joint and combined operational theaters.

Displacing 6,000 tons and with a length of 142 m, the FREMM frigates can reach speeds of 27 knots, are crewed by 108 people, and are heavily armed with Exocet 40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles, Aster air-defense missiles and MU90 torpedoes.

The first nine frigates, designated ASM, will have enhanced capabilities for deep strike when the Future Naval Cruise Missile enters service in 2014.

The 2 FREDA are designed to protect a carrier battle group or an amphibious group against aircraft and missiles. All FREMMs will operate an NH90 helicopter, and carry special forces troops and their equipment.

Construction of the eleven FREMM will generate, up to 2022, very significant business turnover for DCNS (mainly at its site at Lorient, but also at its facilities at Brest and Cherbourg) and for many sub-contractors, mainly SMEs.

The build rate, selected according to the multiyear defense blueprint, combined with anticipated export orders, is expected to maintain DCNS’ industrial workload. “Today, I am visiting a company that has a full order book for the next four years. The FREMM program gives DCNS visibility for the next 10 years or more,” Sarkozy said. “Our goal is not to maintain employment at DCNS, but to increase it,” he added.

Regarding exports, one FREMM sold in Morocco is currently under construction [for delivery in 2013—Ed.]. Other countries such as Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Brazil are also potentially interested. The third frigate, "Normandy", ordered for the French Navy, will go into production in September.

Aquitaine will shortly move to its fitting-out dock, and is to be delivered to the Navy in 2012. (ends)

DCNS Presents the Frigate Aquitaine at Ceremony Attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy

(Source: DCNS; issued May 4, 2010)

LORIENT, France --- DCNS revealed the frigate Aquitaine, the first of the European FREMM multimission frigate programme, at a ceremony attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Over 1,000 people witnessed the event at DCNS’s Lorient centre, the home of excellence in French surface combatant construction for almost 400 years. DCNS will build a batch of 11 FREMM frigates with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2012 and continue until 2022.

Patrick Boissier, Chairman and CEO of DCNS, said: “It is a great honour for DCNS employees to welcome the President to this event. The Group is proud of its role as prime contractor for Europe’s biggest naval programme. The advanced automation, multirole capabilities, interoperability and flexibility of these vessels make them a new market benchmark. Building on the unique know-how of our teams, the FREMM programme demonstrates that we do indeed have the potential to double our revenue over the next ten years in the short term by significantly improving overall performance.”

FREMM, a growth opportunity

FREMM frigates – among the most technologically advanced and competitively priced on the world market – give DCNS a world-class product and an opportunity to increase international sales. These vessels are designed to face all threats from air, sea or land. To meet the current and emerging needs of the world’s navies, DCNS has combined innovation, versatility, modularity and evolvability.

Drawing on state-of-the-art technologies, the DCNS-designed FREMM combat system can accommodate the latest weapons, subsystems and equipment. The combat management system (CMS) software represents over 5 million lines of code. The main weapons include naval cruise missiles offering a deep-strike capability and MU90 torpedoes with a range of several tens of nautical miles. The sensor suite is designed around the Herakles multifunction radar with a range of more than 250 kilometres.

These highly automated surface combatants require a complement of just 108, or less than half the number required to man earlier generation vessels with similar capabilities. The hybrid propulsion system uses both electric propulsion and a gas turbine to achieve a range in excess of 6,000 nautical miles. In electric propulsion mode, a FREMM frigate offers a level of acoustic discretion approaching that of a conventional-propulsion submarine.

FREMM frigates also combine versatility of operational deployment with excellent interoperability for missions with joint and allied forces.

An unprecedented industrial challenge in Europe

France has ordered 11 FREMM frigates. The contract for the first eight vessels was signed in November 2005 and another for remaining three on 30 September 2009. Italy plans to acquire ten and has placed firm orders for six. The Royal Moroccan Navy has placed an order for one FREMM frigate giving DCNS an important success in international sales and bringing the total number of FREMM frigates on order to 12.

The French FREMM programme represents an unprecedented industrial challenge in European naval shipbuilding with the contract calling for the delivery of one vessel every ten months. Note also that even at this rate, DCNS has the resources to accommodate new orders from international customers without additional delay. The Aquitaine is scheduled to be delivered to the French Navy in mid-2010. Overall, the French FREMM programme will provide 50 million hours of work.

To meet this challenge, DCNS adopted new work methods that have enabled management to bring core expertise tasks back under the Group’s own roof where cost-competitive. Success in this area hinges on achieving unit costs comparable with those of low-cost shipyards undertaking part contract work. The Group is thus re-integrating work that would otherwise go to subcontractors and, in so doing, kick-starting a virtuous circle of more in-house work, more efficient industrial resources, lower production overheads per unit output and more jobs at established centres. This approach is a good example of the transformation programme that DCNS is now implementing under the Championship strategy to improve Group performance by 30% over the next three years.

BRIEF TECHNICAL DATA:
--Length overall: 142 m
--Beam: 20 m
--Displacement (approx.): 6,000 tonnes
--Max. speed: 27 knots
--Complement: 108 (including helicopter crew)
--Accommodation: 145 men and women
--Range: 6,000 nm (at 15 knots)

DCNS is a leading European player on the world market for naval defence systems. The Group designs, builds and supports surface combatants, submarines and mission-critical systems and equipment incorporating the most advanced technologies. Drawing on dedicated teams, proven expertise and extensive industrial resources, DCNS is also expanding into new markets in civil nuclear energy, marine renewable energy and naval and industrial services. DCNS is committed to sustainable development and was one of the first defence contractors to achieve Group-wide certification to ISO 14001. The Group employs 12,000 staff and generates annual revenues of around EUR 2.5 billion.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Thales’ Support for Future French Multi-Mission Frigates


French concept of the European Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM).

Thales outlines supplied systems for the French FREMM programme

06:30 GMT, May 5, 2010 Neuilly-sur-Seine | Since early 2007, construction is underway at the Lorient shipyard for the FREMM Aquitaine, the first in a world-class series of future frigates for the French Navy. Thales is proud to be onboard the FREMM Aquitaine, which is scheduled to be put to water this week in preparation for further testing. Thales systems comprise a significant portion of the operational value of these frigates, for which prime contracting duties for shipbuilding and combat systems management are handled by DCNS in France.

FREMM is a European programme for multi-mission frigates launched in 2005 by France (Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission) and Italy (Fregata Europea Multi-Missione). Run by the European joint armaments cooperation organisation, OCCAR, the objective of this programme is to replace existing navy frigates with new 6,000-tonne frigates equipped with cutting-edge warfare systems.

FREMM is the European frigate of the future and Thales systems make a significant contribution to its multi-mission capabilities. Thales systems onboard the Aquitaine include a bow and towed array sonar suite, the Herakles multifunction radar, the Artemis infrared search and track system, as well as electronic warfare and communications systems.

The frigate’s multi-mission capabilities allow it to act alone as a powerful deterrent asset or to draw on its state-of-the-art Thales communications systems to pursue action as part of an inter-allied force. This vessel also has unrivalled stealth capacity, a crucial advantage for enhancing the success and safety of missions.

Under this programme, France has to date ordered 11 frigates, consisting of nine anti-submarine warfare (ASW) versions and two anti-air versions (FREDA). The Aquitaine, an ASW version, is the first of these frigates to be put to water.

Sonar Suite

Thales equips the FREMM frigates with a sonar suite that reaches unparalleled performance levels. This includes very long anti-submarine detection ranges and efficient simultaneous torpedo defence capabilities – taking on minimum risk with maximum reliability. The suite combines the UMS 4110 CL bow mounted sonar with the CAPTAS 4 VDS (Variable Depth Sonar), a towed array system from the Thales CAPTAS family.

The unique CAPTAS 4 (Combined Active and Passive Towed Array Sonar, 4 rings, for Surface Ship Underwater Warfare) system is a technological breakthrough drawing on low frequency passive and active arrays, with an exceptional reach on silent targets. The CAPTAS 4 is equipped with a quick and automated system for deploying towed elements in the water. Its long-range detection will allow FREMM to regain the tactical advantage over submarines.

The CAPTAS 4 design makes it highly effective even in shallow waters where the vertical directivity and wide bandwidth of the transmit array and the horizontal directivity of the receive array can significantly reduce reverberation effects.

Thales, with more than 20 years’ experience in this field, is the world leader in very low frequency variable depth sonars. CAPTAS is the only low frequency variable depth sonar in service with NATO and leading navies.

The UMS 4110 CL is a long-range sonar for offensive ASW and self-protection. This bow mounted sonar is designed for multi-mode operation and can simultaneously operate two active channels - ASW transmission modes - as well as passive channels for listening only or for the tracking of torpedoes. It also has the capability to carry out obstacle avoidance.

A conventional cylindrical array lies at the heart of the UMS 4110 CL system, operating at about 5 kHz so as to exploit the range advantage of a rather low frequency. This system draws on the very latest underwater acoustic and sonar architecture technologies, giving FREMM cutting-edge capabilities for detection in all types of environments and in the face of increasingly diverse threats.

Herakles

Thales has equipped FREMM with its latest multifunction radar, Herakles. This radar performs simultaneous long-range air and surface surveillance, for wide-area protection of consort ships and contributes to the deployment of air defence and anti-surface weapons.

Operating in S-band, it provides effective naval capability with optimum acquisition and life cycle cost. It performs detection, acquisition and tracking of all target profiles including stealth missiles, and ARM (Anti-Radiation Missiles), even in dense ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) and clutter environments.

Herakles consists of a two-axis electronically-scanned antenna. This antenna has a 60 rpm rotation speed associated with back scanning performance for accurate tracking of the most highly manoeuvring targets. Herakles has an exceptionally high operational availability – with an all solid-state technology and redundant architecture – and it performs excellently in brown and blue water operations.

Herakles has already been selected by major navies as a sole radar. Its exceptional reliability and high operational availability are crucial to this role. Certified for Aster 15 and 30 missiles, it is optimised for littoral operations in times of crisis or war.

Artemis

Thales is supplying the state-of-the-art Artemis passive panoramic surveillance system onboard FREMM. Artemis (Advanced Reliable Third generation Electro-optical Multiplexing Infrared Search and track) improves situational awareness and overall ship self-defence by detecting and tracking the infrared signatures of low elevation air and surface threats.

This infrared search and track system has a high-resolution visualisation function that plays a valuable role in close-range surveillance, ship identification, coastal imaging, night navigation, consort ship protection, as well as search and rescue operations. The exceptional stability of the images it provides - regardless of conditions at sea - combined with its simple platform integration, rank Artemis first worldwide in the field of infrared search and track.

This system makes a significant contribution to FREMM survivability and draws on MWIR (Mid Wave Infrared) cameras to detect small air targets at extended ranges, while retaining an impressive surface detection capability. To detect and track these airborne and surface asymmetric threats, Artemis uses three sensor units fixed on a mast or topside structure to achieve 360° surveillance coverage in azimuth.

Electronic Warfare

Thales, in collaboration with the Thales-Elettronica joint venture Sigen, is supplying FREMM with the latest generation electronic warfare. Thales is equipping the Electronic Support Measures (ESM) that allow the frigate to anticipate threats before it can be detected, as well as to optimise its situation awareness and to gather intelligence.

This groundbreaking system incorporates key operational features such as very high sensitivity, very high accuracy direction finding and broadband digital receivers. These sensors include Radar ESM and Communications ESM, providing early detection and immediate threat warning. They also contribute to tactical situation awareness by identifying emitters, reporting new activity and generating signals intelligence in real time.

Sigen, via Elettronica, is also supplying the jamming and decoying system. The Radar ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) is the soft kill solution to defeat hostile emitters. This active system contributes to point and wide area defence, and can decoy and attract incoming missiles away from their targets.

Communication Systems

Thales communication systems supplied onboard the FREMM frigates are based on an open architecture that allows for the ongoing integration of equipment furnished by Thales and partners, as well as of commercial off-the-shelf solutions, or COTS.

This system is centred on a secure local IP (Internet Protocol) network that covers external communications from VLF (Very Low Frequency) to civil and military SATCOM. The internal communications systems supplied by Thales enables more than 160 users - via voice and computer terminals - to access the network simultaneously onboard this vessel designed for a crew of 108.

This Fully Integrated Communication System (FICS) relies on an optimised management that allows configuration according to specific needs. As such, user access, frequency, emission/reception channels and the control of emissions can be adapted on an ongoing basis.

The FREMM latest generation voice over IP application, developed by Thales, allows access for more than 60 users to the entire range of telephony services (conferences, radio communications, etc). Crew and personnel can make use of these services via audio terminals with touch screen displays, each managing up to 12 separate communication applications at one time.

Thales, having contributed to FREMM’s operational advantage, is proud to help this multi-mission frigate of the future rise to the challenge of increasingly diverse threats.

----
[1] The sonars UMS4229 and UMS4249 (S2087 in UK) are now respectively called CAPTAS 2 and CAPTAS 4 according to their number of rings.

[buglerbilly]

FREMM Aquitaine Completes Conclusive First Sea Trials

(Source: DCNS; issued May 10, 2011)


DCNS says that Aquitaine, the lead FREMM frigate, largely exceeded the goals of its initial sea trials, notably in terms of top speed and maneuverability. (DCNS photo)

After three weeks of trials at sea, the first-of-class Aquitaine multimission frigate has returned to dock. The trials were a first opportunity to demonstrate the frigate’s impressive seakeeping qualities. Its manoeuvrability and propulsion system performance met especially the customer’s highest specifications.

FREMM Aquitaine’s crew comprised French Navy personnel, customer representatives, employees of DCNS and its partners. The chief objective of the mission was to demonstrate the frigate’s seakeeping and other nautical qualities and validate the performance of its propulsion and navigation systems.

“These initial sea trials with the first-of-class Aquitaine went very well indeed,” says Vincent Martinot-Lagarde, FREMM programme manager. “The objectives of this first period of sea trials were reached, with more than hundred tests successful. Te propulsion and manoeuvrability tests performed exactly as we predicted and in line with the customer’s expectations.”

These first tests in the ship’s ‘natural environment’ focused indeed on the two key elements of its performance: propulsion, manoeuvrability, and the navigation system. Over 100 tests were conducted successfully. The FREMM high-performance and state-of-the-art hybrid propulsion system (CODLOG: Combined Diesel eLectric or Gas) met the expectations. The Aquitaine was taken to its maximum speed of 27 knots. At this speed, it still had a considerable amount of power in reserve. During manoeuvrability tests, the ship also performed in line with the customer’s requirements. In particular, its turning circle and stopping distance were better than specification.

For DCNS, these first sea trials were a dual success. Not only did DCNS exceed the initial objectives of the mission, but the campaign also served to validate the overall work method devised for the FREMM programme, including the shore integration facility for warship exploitation systems. This facility simulates navigation and platform management and made a significant contribution to the smooth execution of the trials. Moreover, it also played an important role in helping the French Navy crew to fully familiarise themselves with the vessel before putting to sea.

“These first results are extremely positive and will help us to offer our export customers high levels of performance,” continues Vincent Martinot-Lagarde. “By demonstrating the high quality of our upstream work, the entire process has been validated.” An important milestone has been reached with these successful trials, which are further proof that the DCNS FREMM frigate is an extremely promising and competitive solution.

A major programme for DCNS and partners

Under the FREMM programme, DCNS will build 12 vessels: 11 for the French Navy and one for the Royal Moroccan Navy. FREMM frigates are the most technologically advanced and competitively priced on the world market. These heavily armed warships are being built under DCNS prime contractorship to carry state-of-the-art weapons and systems, including the Herakles multifunction radar, MdCN deep-strike cruise missiles, Aster anti-air missiles, Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles and MU90 torpedoes.

FREMM multirole frigates are designed to respond to all types of threats with unparalleled flexibility, interoperability and availability. As demonstrated by the export contract with the Royal Moroccan Navy, they are also designed to meet the needs and expectations of international client navies.

FREMM technical data:

--Length overall: 142 metres
--Beam: 20 metres
--Displacement: 6,000 tonnes
--Max. speed: 27 knots
--Complement: 108 (incl. helicopter detachment)
--Accommodation: 145 men and women
--Range: 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots

DCNS is a world leader in naval defence and an innovative player in energy. The Group’s success as an advanced technology company with global reach is built on meeting customer needs by deploying exceptional know-how and unique industrial resources. DCNS designs, builds and supports surface combatants, submarines and mission-critical systems and equipment incorporating the most advanced technologies. It also proposes services for naval shipyards and bases. The Group employs 12,000 people and generates annual revenues of around EUR 2.4 billion.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

The Air Defense Frigate Chevalier Paul Cleared for Active Duty

(Source: French navy; issued June 10, 2011)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)


‘Chevalier Paul,’ the second Horizon-class anti-air frigate, has joined the French fleet, and will shortly deploy to Libyan waters as part of the U.N. mission there. (French Navy photo)

Admission to active duty is an essential step in the life of any ship. ‘Chevalier Paul’ will now be able to conduct operational missions and, in the coming days, she will take part in ‘Operation Harmattan,’ France’s share of the U.N. mission in Libya.

The frigate Chevalier Paul is the result of the Franco-Italian naval HORIZON program, which included the construction of two new-generation frigates for each country, and thus initiated the renewal of the two navies’ air defense components.

In French service, ‘Le Forbin’ and ‘Chevalier Paul’ replaced the missile frigates ‘Suffren,’ decommissioned in 2001, and Duquesne, decommissioned in 2007.

Chevalier Paul's mission is fleet air defense. Her principal anti-air weapons system allows her to cope with threats ranging from the latest missiles and to respond, notably thanks to its vertically-launched ASTER missiles, to large-scale air strikes. The ship’s electromagnetic discretion, and her ability to detect and decoy missiles, make her especially suitable for high-intensity operations as well as interventions in crisis areas.

The two Horizon-class ships can provide air cover for task forces (aircraft carrier, amphibious or civilian) against all aerial threats, including supersonic anti-ship missiles. They can exercise command and coordination of air operations from the sea, including those involving foreign aircraft. Their capabilities in other areas of naval combat also enable them to perform various other tasks, including securing a maritime area, control of maritime traffic, evacuation of nationals..., etc.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

FREMM Frigate Aquitaine Completes Second Series of Sea Trials with Flying Colours

(Source: DCNS; issued July 5, 2011)



LORIENT, France --- On Saturday 2 July, first-of-class FREMM multi-mission frigate Aquitaine returned to DCNS’s Lorient shipyard after completing three weeks of sea trials on schedule. The trials and tests carried out by DCNS specialists demonstrated the satisfactory performance of all combat system sensors and confirmed that everything is on course for the ship’s delivery to the French Navy in 2012.

The trials were conducted off Groix island in the Bay of Biscay. The joint crew comprising French Navy personnel, customer representatives and DCNS employees tested the performance of the combat system sensors including radars, hull-mounted and towed-array sonars and the infrared search & track (IRST) system.

“Like the first trials, this second series yielded excellent results. This time the focus was on the ship’s combat system sensors. The results demonstrate the quality of DCNS’s integration of these sophisticated systems. All tests went as planned, further confirming the quality of the Aquitaine’s design and construction, said FREMM programme manager Vincent Martinot-Lagarde. “The first trials, in April, demonstrated the ship’s seakeeping and were very well received.”

Day and night, test followed test at a sustained pace. Highlights included the recording of the first radar tracks and the first IRST images as well as the first deployment of the towed-array sonar. The equipment specialists also played out the first operational scenarios. The aim here was to record sensor data and check the quality of the information and analyses displayed by shipboard systems compared with the results obtained during shore-based simulation studies.

During the three-week trials, over 200 people, including 60 Navy men and women, spent time on the Aquitaine. To save the ship returning to port, groups were ferried out and back from Lorient.

With sea trials completed, DCNS will now move on to final outfitting including the painting of over half of the vessel’s shipboard spaces and the installation of the last furnishings and fittings. FREMM frigate Aquitaine is scheduled to put to sea again in the autumn.

FREMM, a major programme for DCNS and partners

The French FREMM programme calls for 12 ships – 11 for the French Navy and one for the Royal Moroccan Navy.

FREMM frigates are among the most technologically advanced and competitively priced on the world market. These heavily armed warships are being built under DCNS prime contractorship to carry state-of-the-art weapons and systems including the Herakles multifunction radar, MdCN cruise missiles, Aster anti-air missiles, Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles and MU90 torpedoes.

These innovative multirole frigates are designed to respond to all types of threats with unparalleled flexibility and availability. The contract to build a FREMM frigate for the Royal Moroccan Navy demonstrates that the type also meets the needs and expectations of international client navies.

FREMM technical data:

•Length overall: 142 m
•Beam: 20 m
•Displacement (approx.): 6,000 tonnes
•Max. speed: 27 knots
•Complement: 108 (including helicopter crew)
•Accommodation: 145 men and women
•Range: 6,000 nm (at 15 knots)

DCNS is a world leader in naval defence and an innovative player in energy. DCNS designs, builds and supports submarines and surface combatants as well as associated systems and infrastructure. It also proposes services for naval shipyards and bases. The Group employs 12,500 people and generates annual revenues of around EUR 2.5 billion.

-ends-

[JKM Mk2]

Are two Horizon frigates enough for the French & Italian navies? Even Australia is planning on three Hobart's and they don't have carriers!

Given the fact that the French are planning on a second CV (although I guess only one operational at a time) I would have thought a minimum of four would have been in order (the two AAW FREMM's maybe?).

Italy has a couple of small carriers so even in their case two does not seem to be an optimum force.

Cheers
JKM

[buglerbilly]

Are two Horizon frigates enough for the French & Italian navies? Even Australia is planning on three Hobart's and they don't have carriers!

Given the fact that the French are planning on a second CV (although I guess only one operational at a time) I would have thought a minimum of four would have been in order (the two AAW FREMM's maybe?).

Italy has a couple of small carriers so even in their case two does not seem to be an optimum force.

Cheers
JKM

HORIZON has been pretty much supplanted by FREMM. In essence 1 x HORIZON will lead 2-4 x FREMM as the Carrier/Amphib Escort Force. I'd agree that more should be built.

There is no AAW FREMM planned, the forecast is for 17 x FREMM's, 11 x ASW and 6 x the land attack (action vers la terre or AVT) version...........both versions have ASTER 15 but not 30 ala the UK Darings. The AVT's have SCALP VLS (up to 1,000km range) for their Land Attack missile system. Both versions have Exocet MM40 block 3 anti-ship missiles.

[JKM Mk2]

Thanks for that Bug.

In one of the articles above they mention 9 ASW + 2 AAW (FREDA) versions for the French Navy whixh was where I got the idea from.

Basically a pretty useful class of ship IMHO.

Cheers
JKM

[ARH v.3.1]

France's need for air defence ships is less than that of other navies due to their carrier which has its own SAM system, as well as AEW supported fighters. It wasn't like the RN where their destroyers were all that was there for air defence.

[buglerbilly]

French Navy Attends Launch of Moroccan FREMM

(Source: French Navy; issued Sept. 16, 2011)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)


The first export FREMM frigate, built by France’s DCNS for Morocco, will be christened Mohammed VI and delivered in 2013. She is now undergoing sea trials.(DCNS photo)

LORIENT, France --- Vice-Admiral Stephane Verwaerde, the Major General of the French Navy , represented the Chief of Staff at the launch, by DCNS, of the FREMM multimission frigate for the Royal Navy of Morocco. Also attending were Admiral Laghmari, Inspector General of the Royal Navy of Morocco and Patrick Boissier, CEO of DCNS.

The frigate, which will be named "Mohammed VI" is the 12th unit of the program FREMM DCNS, and the first to be built for an export customer. The other 11 frigates of the program is intended for the French Navy. The first, the FREMM Aquitaine , sent to sea for the first time on April 18, 2011, and is currently carrying out her sea trials.

The presence of a senior French navy delegation demonstrates the "strong, confident, dense and long-standing" cooperation between France and Morocco. "On the occasion of our many training sessions and joint missions, it is always with great satisfaction that our crew, our staff, see our ships, our frigates of the same class, work together and share operating procedures, said the representatives of the two navies.

Over the past 60 years, the Royal Moroccan Navy has acquired several vessels from French shipyards (landing ships, OPV 64 and 70 patrol vessels, as well as Floreal-class frigates).

This cooperation takes on a whole new scale with the delivery of the frigate FREMM the Royal Navy of Morocco in 2013.

Versatile, FREMM can answer all types of threats. Innovative, they offer an interoperability and high availability. Flexible, they are able to meet the expectations of many marines.

The missions of these ships include control of air-sea operational areas: deep strike with the Naval Cruise Missile; anti-ship and anti-submarine missions; and support of force projection missions.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

The First-Of-Class Italian FREMM Frigate “Carlo BERGAMINI” Starts Sea Trials

(Source: OCCAR; issued October 14, 2011)



In accordance with the Programme schedule, last Thursday, 6th October 2011, the first-of-class Italian FREMM (general purpose) vessel Carlo BERGAMINI sailed for the first time, starting the contractor sea trials programme.

The scheduled milestone of the “first sea-going”, considered as an important goal for Italian FREMM Programme, was reached thanks to the commitment of industry which was able to avoid any delay with respect to the tight programme agreed with OCCAR.

Two hundred people (Italian Navy, OCCAR and Industry) were very active onboard at a sunny day.

The excellent sea conditions allowed to conduct many familiarisation activities and to fulfil the busy daily trials programme, mainly focused on initial testing of the performances and manoeuvrability of the ship powered by the electrical propulsion.

In addition, some important combat system trials were carried out, testing almost all of the radar (Navigation radar, surface search radar) and communications (VHF, UHF, HF) devices and performing basic CMS & functional integration tests.

The second set of sea trials is currently planned for the 18th of October.

-ends-

[Milne Bay]

The First-Of-Class Italian FREMM Frigate “Carlo BERGAMINI” Starts Sea Trials

(Source: OCCAR; issued October 14, 2011)



In accordance with the Programme schedule, last Thursday, 6th October 2011, the first-of-class Italian FREMM (general purpose) vessel Carlo BERGAMINI sailed for the first time, starting the contractor sea trials programme.

The scheduled milestone of the “first sea-going”, considered as an important goal for Italian FREMM Programme, was reached thanks to the commitment of industry which was able to avoid any delay with respect to the tight programme agreed with OCCAR.

Two hundred people (Italian Navy, OCCAR and Industry) were very active onboard at a sunny day.

The excellent sea conditions allowed to conduct many familiarisation activities and to fulfil the busy daily trials programme, mainly focused on initial testing of the performances and manoeuvrability of the ship powered by the electrical propulsion.

In addition, some important combat system trials were carried out, testing almost all of the radar (Navigation radar, surface search radar) and communications (VHF, UHF, HF) devices and performing basic CMS & functional integration tests.

The second set of sea trials is currently planned for the 18th of October.

-ends-

How is the ship launched from these hard-pads?
Puzzled
MB

[buglerbilly]

They move it via ultra-low bogies, to a dry-dock and then put it in the water, see pics below that show the bogies etc.............no shots of the lowering yet.............





You can see them clearly here:

[buglerbilly]

Slightly different to what I thought...............they drive it onto a floating barge/dry dock and then flood the dry dock and hey presto she floats!


Carlo Bergamini FoC GP frigate will be transferred on the floating dock and lowered into the water soon after.

[Milne Bay]

Slightly different to what I thought...............they drive it onto a floating barge/dry dock and then flood the dry dock and hey presto she floats!

Thanks Bug,
I'd like to see that
Cheers
MB

[buglerbilly]

France to Sell Frigates to Greece in Controversial Deal

(Source: Spiegel Online; posted Oct. 17, 2011)

You'd have to wonder at the stupidity of any Greek government to do this and any French government to actually allow them to do this.........:cuckoo
Greece has a mountain of debt and new stealth frigates are NOT, with all respect, high on the absolutely-must-have to ensure sovereignty

A huge arms deal is threatening to put French-German relations under strain. According to information obtained by Spiegel, France wants to deliver two to four new frigates to the Greek navy and to allow the highly indebted nation to postpone payment of the EUR 300 million ($412 million) purchase price per ship for the next five years.

Under the deal, Greece will have the option of paying up after five years, with a significant discount of EUR 100 million, or returning them to the French navy. The "stealth" frigates are designed to avoid detection by enemy radar and are built by state-owned French defense company DCNS.

The deal is being criticized by German rivals that have been competing for the contract for years.

In a letter to the German government, an executive from the ThyssenKrupp group complained that the vessel purchase will in effect be co-financed by German taxpayers because Greece, reliant on aid from the European Union and International Monetary Fund, may have to restructure its debts.

'The Chancellor Must Stop Her Friend Sarkozy'

A Greek debt haircut is looking increasingly likely. If this happens and Greece is rescued again with funds from the European bailout mechanisms, Thyssen's scenario would come true. German taxpayers would shoulder part of Greece's government spending and thereby be forced to pay for a portion of the frigate purchase.

"While German naval shipyards aren't getting any orders, DCNS and Greek shipyards are being subsidized and kept alive, probably with German money in the end," the ThyssenKrupp executive said.

Uwe Beckmeyer, a member of parliament from the the center-left Social Democrats, says German jobs are at stake and called on Chancellor Angela Merkel to get French President Nicolas Sarkozy to abandon the ship sale. "The Chancellor must stop her friend Sarkozy," said Beckmeyer.

According to an internal Thyssen document, the deal may also breach EU rules on subsidies and public procurement. Thyssen has declined to make an official comment on the matter.

Members of Merkel's center-right coalition government -- comprised of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, it's Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union and the business-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP) -- are also pressuring the chancellor to intervene.

"I expect the troika but also the German government to clarify this matter at the next EU summit," said Otto Fricke, a member of parliament for the FDP.

The troika, made up of the EU, IMF and European Central Bank, organized the bailout of Greece and is monitoring the nation's adherence to budget and economic reforms required by the lenders in return for their aid.

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