Frankreich bestellt fünfte FDI-Fregatte bei der Naval Group

>**The French defense procurement agency (DGA) ordered the fifth FDI frigate for the French Navy (Marine Nationale) from Naval Group. The vessel, to be named** ***Amiral Cabanier*****, will be built at the shipyard in Lorient.**

>The order announcement was made today by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. No expected delivery date for this fifth (and final for now) vessel was disclosed in the official communication.

>For the record, as far as French Navy FDIs are concerned, the first four ships in the class were ordered by DGA to Naval Group as follow:

>*Amiral Ronarc’h*, ordered in April 2017, delivered in October 2025

>*Amiral Louzeau,* ordered in March 2021, launch expected in Q2 2026

>*Amiral Castex,* ordered in March 2021,

>*Amiral Nomy*, ordered in December 2025,

>The first-in-class ship, *Amiral Ronarc’h* (D660) is currently conducting its [long-term deploym](https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/01/first-french-fdi-frigate-begins-long-duration-deployment/)[e](https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/01/first-french-fdi-frigate-begins-long-duration-deployment/)[nt](https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/01/first-french-fdi-frigate-begins-long-duration-deployment/) (often called long cruise or check down cruise) before formally entering active duty. The frigate’s commanding officer [told *Naval News* during an interview](https://youtu.be/NFAVjxANBHk?si=XowQA2C1aY-G2mEM&t=500) in Sweden that this major step is expected between the Summer and year’s end.

>Displacing 4,500 tons, the FDI is a first rank surface combatant equipped with high-performance systems for anti-air (AAW), anti-surface (ASuW), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Capable of deploying a NH90 NFH helicopter and special forces, it also benefits from advanced communications and data link capabilities, facilitating its integration into national or allied operations.

>Designed for long-term, distant deployments in crisis zones, the *Amiral Ronarc’h* frigate stands out for its versatility and modularity. It is designed to withstand both asymmetric attacks and high-intensity naval combat, integrating cutting-edge digital and data processing technologies to address current and future threats.

>The next four frigates in the series – *Amiral Louzeau, Amiral Castex, Amiral Nomy* and *Amiral Cabanier* – will complete the French fleet in the coming years, in accordance with the 2024-2030 French military planning law.

Pic of the first FDI in the series, the Amiral Ronarc’h: [https://www.naval-group.com/en/naval-group-delivers-first-defence-and-intervention-frigate](https://www.naval-group.com/en/naval-group-delivers-first-defence-and-intervention-frigate)

Interesting!

I was going to say it won’t be needed, but you-know-which ships were already spotted near Ireland and Britain a fair bit, so…

5 was the original number, no? There has been talk of an additional three hulls, but so far nothing official has been passed.