Naval Group starts construction of France’s first FTI frigate

Naval Group recently held a steel-cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of the first Intermediate Frigate (Frégates de taille intermédiaire; FTI) ordered for the French Navy.

The frigates will be used for anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-air warfare (AAW), insertion and extraction of special operations forces.

Each FTI will have a length of 122 metres, a beam of 18 metres, a displacement of 4,500 tonnes, a maximum speed of 27 knots, and a flight deck for helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Armament will include Exocet anti-ship missiles, Aster surface-to-air missiles, and torpedoes.

Five ships have been planned with the first unit scheduled for delivery in 2023.

See all the other content from this month's Maritime Security Week right here, including reviews, features, opinions and news.