FDI-class (Amiral Ronarc'h-class)

The Amiral Ronarc'h-class frigate, also designated as the Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention (FDI) or Frégate de Taille Intermédiaire (FTI), is a class of first-rank warships designed for the French Navy. The programme was initiated in 2015 to satisfy a French Navy requirement for fifteen first-class frigates, as recommended in the 2013 White Paper on Defense and National Security. These vessels are intended to complement the Aquitaine-class and Horizon-class frigates, and will incrementally replace the five La Fayette-class frigates by 2035. The French Defence Ministry awarded the development and construction contract to DCNS (now Naval Group) on 21 April 2017. The lead vessel of the class, Amiral Ronarc'h, was laid down on 17 December 2021, delivered by Naval Group on 17 October 2025, and is expected to enter active service in the second half of 2026. The second French ship, Amiral Louzeau, was launched on 16 May 2026 for delivery in 2027, and France ordered a fifth hull in April 2026. The Hellenic Navy of Greece ordered three variants of the class (known as the Kimon or Belharra class) in March 2022, with a fourth ordered in November 2025. In May 2026, Sweden selected the FDI design for its four Luleå-class air-defence frigates, and the €4.3 billion contract was signed in Stockholm on 31 August 2026, for entry into service between 2030 and 2034.

The FDI class integrates Thales electronic systems and sensors. Its primary radar is the Thales SEA FIRE fully digital multi-function active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which features four fixed S-band antennas. Underwater detection systems include the Thales KingKlip Mk2 hull-mounted sonar and a compact version of the Thales CAPTAS-4 towed-array sonar. Communications are managed via the Thales Aquilon digital communication system, and electronic warfare capabilities are provided by the Thales SENTINEL system.

In the standard French Navy configuration, the armament comprises one Oto Melara 76 mm Super Rapid gun, two Nexter Narwhal 20 mm remote weapon stations, and eight Exocet MM-40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles. Air defence is provided by Aster 15 or Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles launched from Sylver A50 vertical launching systems (VLS). The first three French vessels will carry 16 Aster cells, while the final two will receive 32 cells; the initial three ships are scheduled to be retrofitted to the 32-cell configuration in the 2030s. All French vessels are slated to receive two twin Sadral Mistral Simbad-RC point defence launchers. Subsurface armament consists of two twin launchers for MU90 Impact torpedoes. The frigates support one NH90 or H160M Guépard helicopter, and one unmanned aerial system such as the Camcopter S-100.

The Hellenic Navy variant incorporates 32 Sylver A50 VLS cells for Aster-30 missiles, a 21-cell Mk31 launcher for RAM Block 2B point defence missiles, eight Exocet Block 3 missiles, and SYLENA Mk1 decoy launching systems for CANTO anti-torpedo decoys. These vessels also integrate a Hellenic Aerospace Industry counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS). Swedish Navy variants will feature Saab RBS 15 anti-ship missiles, SLWT torpedoes, Giraffe 1X radars, Trackfire remote weapon stations, BAE Systems Bofors 57 mm and 40 mm guns, and MBDA CAMM-ER missiles.

The first vessel of the class, Kimon, was delivered to the Hellenic Navy on 18 December 2025. The FDI class saw its first operational deployment during the 2026 Iran war. In March 2026, the Hellenic Navy deployed Kimon, alongside the Hydra-class frigate Psara and two pairs of Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter jets, to Cyprus to provide air defence against Iranian drone attacks.