French Navy Receives First Air Defence FREMM Frigate

Naval Group handed over the first FREMM frigate Alsace to the French Navy on April 16 in Toulon.

Alsace is the first of the two air defence frigates with enhanced air defence capability and the seventh FREMM multimissions frigate ordered by OCCAr for the French defence procurement agency (Direction générale de l’armement - DGA) for the French Navy.

The frigate’s role will be the anti-aircraft defence of major units such as the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, or that of PHA-type landing helicopter docks, within the framework of a naval air and amphibious group.

The FREMM DA uses the most advanced weapons systems and equipment, such as the Herakles multifunction radar, the Aster 15 and 30 and Exocet MM 40 missiles and the MU 90 torpedoes. Like the other units of the FREMM series, she carries the NH90 helicopter (Caïman Marine), whose use is supported by the SAMAHE system supplied by Naval Group. The performance of the ship’s combat system are strengthened with increased radar and communication capabilities, a new radar and electro-optical fire control system as well as SETIS Combat Management System equipped with specific air defense functions.