On 19 May, the launching ceremony for the second Defence and Intervention Frigate ordered by the French Government defence procurement and technology agency (DGA) for the French Navy (Marine Nationale) took place at Naval Group Lorient shipyard. This second French FDI frigate is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
The launching ceremony for the FDI, named Amiral Louzeau, was attended by Amiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of staff of the French Navy, representatives of French Government defence procurement and technology agency, and Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group.
In the coming days, Naval Group teams will carry out the installation of the Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM), an integrated mast providing state-of-the-art technological and operational performance. Building the PSIM in parallel with the hull helps secure testing activities and reduces production times by approximately five months.
The FDI’s first sea trials will begin in 2027, with delivery scheduled for the end of the year. Deliveries of the remaining three vessels in the series of five FDIs ordered for the French Navy will continue through to 2032.
At the same time, Naval Group is also building three additional FDIs for Greece, alongside the HS Kimon, delivered in December 2025. Two of these vessels will be delivered to the Hellenic Navy by the end of 2026.
“Today, we are celebrating an important milestone for the FDI programme with the launch of the second French FDI, alongside our partners, the DGA and the French Navy, whom we thank for their trust. This second frigate for France will strengthen the French Navy’s fleet in support of its superiority at sea,” said Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group.
Thanks to the investments made by Naval Group, the site of Lorient has a modern industrial infrastructure that enables it to meet the technical and technological challenges of designing and building naval vessels in series. Thanks to this industrial organisation that optimises construction times, Naval Group can deliver two ships per year at its Lorient shipyard.
The FDI is equipped with proven capabilities in all areas of combat: anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, anti-surface and asymmetric warfare.
Evolutive and versatile, it uncompromisingly combines all the functions enabling it to manage, either independently or as part of a fleet, current and emerging threats such as latest-generation submarines, supersonic missiles, cyberattacks and multifaceted asymmetric threats. To this end, it is equipped with advanced digital and data processing technologies. Its compact layout and unique design make it perfectly suited to different environments and rough seas around the world.
Technical specifications:
- Displacement: 4,500 tons class
- Length: 122 meters
- Beam: 18 meters
- Maximum speed: 27 knots
- Autonomy: 5,000 nautical, 45 days
As an international naval defence player, Naval Group is a partner for countries seeking to maintain control of their maritime sovereignty. Naval Group develops innovative solutions to meet its customers’ requirements. The group is present throughout the entire life cycle of vessels.
Naval Group designs, produces, equips, integrates, supports and upgrades submarines and surface ships, as well as their systems and equipment, right up to the final phases of deconstruction and dismantling. Naval Group’s unique know-how in autonomous systems, underwater weapons and drones place it in pole position to become European leader in the sector.
Located on five continents, the group generates revenue of 4.679 billion euros and has 17,170 employees (figures as of 31 December 2025).
