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Formidable vs La Fayette

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Specifications
Formidable La Fayette
Origin 🇫🇷 France 🇫🇷 France
Category Frigate Frigate
Type Frigate General-purpose frigate
Manufacturer DCNS DCNS
Year introduced 2007 1996
Number built 6 units 20 units
Estimated unit price NA $325 million
Displacement 3,200 tons 3,200 tons
Maximum speed 27.0 knots 25.0 knots
Range 4,200 nm 9,000 nm at 12 knots
Length 114.8 m 125.0 m
Beam 16.3 m 15.4 m
Crew 71 164
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Formidable La Fayette
Armament
  • 8 (Up to 24) × RGM-84C Harpoon SSMs (to be replaced by Blue Spear SSM)
  • 16-cell Sylver A50 VLS for MBDA Aster 15/30
  • 16-cell Sylver A43 VLS for MBDA Aster 15
  • 2 × B515 triple tubes for EuroTorp A244/S Mod 3 torpedoes
  • 1x OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun
  • 4 × STK 50MG 12.7 mm HMG
  • 2 × 25mm Mk 38 Mod2 Typhoon Weapon Station Stabilised Gun
  • Long-Range Acoustic Device 500 Xtreme (LRAD500X)
  • 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: 4 × MTU 20V 8000 M90, each rated at 9,100 kW (12,200 shp). Total output: 36,400 kW (48,800 shp) 4 diesel SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2, 21,000 hp (16,000 kW)

Overview

The Formidable and the La Fayette are both Frigate classes.

Displacement is 3,200 tons for the Formidable vs 3,200 tons for the La Fayette. The Formidable reaches 27 knots vs 25 knots for the La Fayette. Operational range is 4,200 nautical miles for the Formidable vs 9,000 for the La Fayette. The Formidable carries a crew of 71 vs 164 for the La Fayette.

The Formidable was produced in 6 units vs 20 for the La Fayette. The Formidable was commissioned in 2007, 11 years after the La Fayette (1996).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Formidable-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class has greater displacement at 3,200 tons compared to the Formidable-class's 3,200 tons.
Which is faster, the Formidable-class or La Fayette-class?
The Formidable-class is faster with a maximum speed of 27 knots compared to the La Fayette-class's 25 knots.
Which has longer range, the Formidable-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class has a longer range at 9,000 nautical miles compared to the Formidable-class's 4,200 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Formidable-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class is longer at 125.0 meters compared to the Formidable-class's 114.8 meters.
How many crew members do the Formidable-class and La Fayette-class have?
The La Fayette-class has a larger crew complement of 164 compared to the Formidable-class's 71 crew members.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Formidable-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class has been built in greater numbers with 20 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Formidable-class.