GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

FDI vs La Fayette

Change comparison vs
Specifications
FDI La Fayette
Origin 🇫🇷 France 🇫🇷 France
Category Frigate Frigate
Type General-purpose frigate General-purpose frigate
Manufacturer Naval Group DCNS
Year introduced 2025 1996
Number built 2 units 20 units
Estimated unit price $820 million $325 million
Displacement 4,460 tons 3,200 tons
Maximum speed 27.0 knots 25.0 knots
Range 5,000 nm at 15 knots 9,000 nm at 12 knots
Length 122.0 m 125.0 m
Beam 17.7 m 15.4 m
Crew 125 164
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
FDI La Fayette
Armament
  • 1 × Oto Melara 76 mm Super Rapid gun
  • 2 × Nexter Narwhal 20B 20 mm RWS
  • 8 × Exocet MM-40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles
  • 2 × Sylver A50 8-cell VLS for 16 Aster 15 or 30 surface-to-air missiles
  • 2 × 2 Sadral Mistral Simbad-RC point-defence SAM
  • 2 × twin torpedo tubes for MU90 Impact torpedoes
  • 1 x 100 mm TR automatic gun
  • 2 x 20 mm modèle F2 guns
  • 8 x Exocet MM40 block II anti-ship missiles
  • 1 x Crotale CN2 CIWS
  • 2 x 6 Sadral launchers with Mistral Mk 3 SAM/SSM
  • 2 x 2 manually operated Simbad/Mistral
Propulsion Combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) arrangement with a total output of 32,000 kW (43,000 shp) 4 diesel SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2, 21,000 hp (16,000 kW)

Overview

The FDI and the La Fayette are both Frigate classes.

Displacement is 4,460 tons for the FDI vs 3,200 tons for the La Fayette. The FDI reaches 27 knots vs 25 knots for the La Fayette. Operational range is 5,000 nautical miles for the FDI vs 9,000 for the La Fayette. The FDI carries a crew of 125 vs 164 for the La Fayette.

The FDI was produced in 2 units vs 20 for the La Fayette. Cost per hull is $820M for the FDI vs $325M for the La Fayette. The FDI was commissioned in 2025, 29 years after the La Fayette (1996).

Related Comparisons
FDI vs Type 054A FDI vs FREMM frigate FDI vs Independence FDI vs Freedom FDI vs Mogami FDI vs Sigma

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the FDI-class or La Fayette-class?
The FDI-class has greater displacement at 4,460 tons compared to the La Fayette-class's 3,200 tons.
Which is faster, the FDI-class or La Fayette-class?
The FDI-class is faster with a maximum speed of 27 knots compared to the La Fayette-class's 25 knots.
Which has longer range, the FDI-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class has a longer range at 9,000 nautical miles compared to the FDI-class's 5,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the FDI-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class is longer at 125.0 meters compared to the FDI-class's 122.0 meters.
How many crew members do the FDI-class and La Fayette-class have?
The La Fayette-class has a larger crew complement of 164 compared to the FDI-class's 125 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the FDI-class or La Fayette-class?
The FDI-class is more expensive at approximately $820 million per unit compared to the La Fayette-class at $325 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the FDI-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class has been built in greater numbers with 20 vessels compared to 2 vessels of the FDI-class.