FREMM frigate-class

Summary

Origin country 🇫🇷 France
Category Frigate
SubtypeMulti-purpose frigate
ManufacturerNaval Group
Year commissioned2012
Approx. unit cost$795 million
Units D650 Aquitaine
D651 Normandie
D652 Provence
D653 Languedoc
D654 Auvergne
D655 Bretagne
D656 Alsace
D657 Lorraine
F 590 Carlo Bergamini
F 591 Virginio Fasan
F 592 Carlo Margottini
F 593 Carabiniere
F 594 Alpino
F 595 Luigi Rizzo
F 596 Federico Martinengo
F 597 Antonio Marceglia
F 598 Spartaco Schergat

Operators

🇪🇬 Egypt • 🇫🇷 France • 🇮🇹 Italy • 🇲🇦 Morocco

Description

The FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission) is a Franco-Italian class of multi-purpose frigates developed by Naval Group and Fincantieri. The program was established to replace the Georges Leygues and Cassard classes in France and the Lupo and Maestrale classes in Italy.

The class is divided into the French Aquitaine and Italian Bergamini variants. These ships are configured for anti-submarine warfare, general-purpose, and anti-air warfare roles. Propulsion systems differ by navy, with French units using a CODLOG arrangement and Italian units using CODLAG. Sensors include electronically scanned array radars and both hull-mounted and towed sonar suites. Armament across the class utilizes vertical launch systems for Aster missiles, complemented by anti-ship missiles and torpedo launchers. Specific equipment varies by national requirement, such as the inclusion of land-attack cruise missiles on French vessels and different naval gun configurations on Italian ships.

The French Navy commissioned the lead ship in 2012, followed by the first Italian vessel in 2013. Export customers include Morocco, which received a frigate in 2014, and Egypt, which operates three units, including ships originally ordered by the French and Italian navies. In 2024, Italy ordered the FREMM-EVO variant to update its fleet with dual-band radar and enhanced missile capabilities. The United States Navy selected a FREMM derivative for the Constellation class, though the program was cancelled in November 2025. Greece entered an agreement in 2025 to acquire two Italian vessels with an option for two additional hulls. Indonesia and Portugal have also pursued acquisitions or options for the design. As of 2024, the class remains in production in both France and Italy.

Technical specifications

Displacement6700 tons
Range 6800 km at 15 knots
Crew145 members
Width20.0 m (65.6 ft)
Length144.6 m (474.4 ft)
Air Park
  • 1 x NH90 (France)
  • 2 x SH90 (Italy)
  • 1 x SH90 and 1 x AW101 (Italy)
Propulsion

CODLOG (France) or CODLAG (Italy): 1 × 32 MW General Electric/Avio LM2500+G4 gas turbine, 2 × 2.5 MW electric motors, 4 × diesel generators

Armament
  • 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A43 or A50 VLS for Aster 15/30 missiles
  • 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A70 VLS for MdCN cruise missiles
  • 8 x MBDA Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles
  • 8 x MBDA Teseo Mk-2/A anti-ship missiles
  • 4 x MBDA MILAS anti-submarine missiles
  • 1 x Leonardo OTO Melara 76 mm SR gun
  • 1 x Leonardo Otobreda 127/64 Vulcano gun
  • 3 x Nexter 20 mm Narwhal remote weapon systems
  • 2 x Leonardo OTO Melara 25/80 turrets
  • 2 x B-515 launchers for MU 90 torpedoes
  • 2 x Sadral Mistral Simbad-RC point-defence SAM
Maximum speed27 knots
Photo of FREMM frigate-class

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of ship is the FREMM frigate-class?
The FREMM frigate-class is a frigate (Multi-purpose frigate) built by France.
What is the displacement of the FREMM frigate-class?
The FREMM frigate-class has a displacement of 6,700 tons.
What is the maximum speed of the FREMM frigate-class?
The FREMM frigate-class has a maximum speed of 27 knots (50 km/h).
What is the range of the FREMM frigate-class?
The FREMM frigate-class has a range of 6,800 km (3,671 nautical miles) at 15 knots.
How many crew members serve on the FREMM frigate-class?
The FREMM frigate-class has a crew complement of 145 personnel.
How many FREMM frigate-class ships have been built?
22 vessels of the FREMM frigate-class have been built.
Which countries operate the FREMM frigate-class?
The FREMM frigate-class is operated by 4 countries, including Egypt, France, and Italy.
How much does a FREMM frigate-class cost?
The FREMM frigate-class has an estimated unit cost of approximately $795 million.
Wikipedia and other open sources. Last updated on 18 January 2026. Suggest a change