15.09.2011
Text:
Illustration:
FREMM-class guided missile frigate.
The ship was launched in Lorient. According to the schedule, after outfitting and trials the frigate will be handed over to Morocco in 2013. The ship is expected to obtain the name of
Mohammed VI.
Construction of the
FREMM-class frigate for Moroccan Navy started in Dec 2008. Although Moroccan defense ministry ordered only one such ship, this order can be enlarged in prospect, said undisclosed source. In total, it is planned to built 22
FREMM-class frigates - 11 for French Navy, one for Morocco, and ten for Italy.
Earlier on, Algerian defense ministry also planned to purchase several
FREMM-class frigates, but in June 2011 it was reported that Algerian military was considering Russian 20382
Tiger corvettes as a cheaper alternative. The question was procurement of three ships to the overall sum of $700 mln. However, delivery contract has not been signed so far.
First
FREMM-class frigate named
Aquitaine started sea trials in Apr 2011 and is expected to join French Navy in 2012.
Displacement of Project
FREMM frigates is 6,000 tons; max speed is up to 27 knots; fuel range at 15 knots is 6,000 nm; armament includes
MM-40 Exocet Block 3 and
MBDA Aster missiles,
MU-90 torpedoes, 76-mm gun mount, and one
NHI NH90 NFH helicopter.
