Floréal-class frigate
{{short description|1990s type of French warships}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=Vendemiaire 2.jpg |Ship caption=Frigate {{ship|French frigate|Vendémiaire|F734|2}} of the French Navy }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name=Floréal class |Builders=Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire |Operators=* {{Navy|France}}
|Class before={{sclass|D'Estienne d'Orves|aviso|4}} |Class after={{sclass|La Fayette|frigate|4}}; European Patrol Corvette (planned from 2030) |Subclasses= |Cost= |Built range= |In service range= |In commission range=1992–present |Total ships building= |Total ships planned= |Total ships completed=*6 (France)
|Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active=*6 (France)
|Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption=of French frigates |Ship type=Frigate |Ship displacement=* {{convert|2600|LT|t|0|lk=on|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|Ship length={{convert|93.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|14|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship height= |Ship draught={{convert|4.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship propulsion=* 4 × SEMT Pielstick 6 PA6 L280 BPC diesel engines
|Ship speed={{convert|20|kn|lk=in}} |Ship range=*{{convert|9000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn}} |Ship endurance= |Ship troops=24 marines |Ship complement=90 |Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=* ARBG-1A Saïgon
|Ship armament=* 2 Exocet MM38 missiles (originally fitted; now removed)
|Ship armour= |Ship armor= |Ship aircraft=1 Panther helicopter or Dauphin N3 (the latter replaced former Aérospatiale Alouette III on some ships in 2022). |Ship aircraft facilities=Flight deck and hangar |Ship notes= }} |
The Floréal class is a type of light "surveillance frigates" ({{langx|fr|frégate de surveillance}}) designed for the needs of the French Navy in low-threat environments ordered in 1989. The ships are named after months of the Republican Calendar. They use construction standards of commercial ships. The frigates were built between 1990 and 1993 by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique at Saint-Nazaire, France. The six French ships of the class, {{ship|French frigate|Floréal||2}}, {{ship|French frigate|Prairial||2}}, {{ship|French frigate|Nivôse||2}}, {{ship|French frigate|Ventôse||2}}, {{ship|French frigate|Vendémiaire||2}} and {{ship|French frigate|Germinal||2}}, remain in active service.
The ships' main armament was two Exocet MM38 surface-to-surface missiles and a French 100 mm naval gun, but in 2014, the Exocets were removed at the end of their life cycle. The vessels have a maximum speed of {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}} and can carry 24 marines. The vessels are used mainly to patrol the French overseas departments and regions in the Pacific, Indian Ocean and Caribbean regions, but have served in both military and humanitarian operations in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Guinea.
Two more ships were ordered by the Royal Moroccan Navy in July 1999. Constructed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in 2001–2002, they resemble the French vessels with minor changes. Their main armament are the two Exocet missiles and a OTO Melara 76 mm. The two frigates, {{ship|Moroccan frigate|Mohammed V||2}} and {{ship|Moroccan frigate|Hassan II||2}}, entered service in 2002–2003 and are used primarily for training and patrol.
Design and description
The Floréal class evolved out of a need to produce a cheaper frigate for patrol in the low-threat environments of France's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. The hull and superstructure are made of welded steel with transverse bulkheads.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|pp=119–120}} Frigates of the Floréal class have a standard displacement of {{convert|2600|LT|t|0|lk=on|order=flip}} and {{convert|2950|LT|t|order=flip}} at full load. The frigates measure {{convert|85.2|m|ftin}} long between perpendiculars and {{convert|93.5|m|ftin}} overall with a beam of {{convert|14|m|ftin}} and a draught of {{convert|4.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=258}}{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=119}} Due to the frigates' broad beams, they are equipped with fin stabilisers.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=120}}
The frigates are powered by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) system comprising four SEMT Pielstick 6 PA6 L280 BPC diesel engines driving two shafts each turning a LIPS controllable pitch propeller. The CODAD system is rated at {{convert|8820|hp|lk=on|order=flip}} The vessels are also equipped with one {{convert|272|hp|order=flip|adj=on}} bow thruster. They also have twin rudders. Due to the mercantile construction design, the four diesels are all located within one machinery room for ease of maintenance. Both diesel fuel and TR5 aviation fuel is brought aboard at a single location at the stern compared to naval-constructed vessels which sport two. The ships also have three {{convert|750|kW|abbr=on}} diesel-electric generators located just fore and aft of the machinery room.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=120}}{{sfn|Massicot|2010|pp=53–54}} The Floréal-class frigates have a maximum speed of {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}} and a range of {{convert|9000|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|15|kn}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=258}}
The class was initially only to be armed with the weaponry that would be required for the patrol mission, but this was later increased.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=120}} The frigates were armed with two Exocet MM38 surface-to-surface missiles in launchers situated centrally atop the midships superstructure. Each missile had a range of {{convert|42|km}}, carried a {{convert|165|kg|abbr=on}} warhead and could reach speeds up to Mach 0.9.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=258}} However, at the end of the missile's life cycle in 2014, the launchers were removed as the French Navy did not intend to replace the capability aboard the ships.{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/les-fregates-de-surveillance-evoluent |title=Les frégates de surveillance évoluent |language=fr |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |trans-title=Surveillance frigates are evolving |work=Mer et Marine |date=26 November 2015 |access-date=30 December 2019}} The ships mount one 100 mm CADAM turret with the Najir fire control system located forwards. The {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} gun can fire 78 rounds per minute, each round weighing {{convert|13.5|kg|abbr=on}} up to a range of {{convert|17|km}}. The frigates are also equipped with two 20 mm modèle F2 guns situated in atop the aft superstructure which can fire 720 rounds per minute up to {{convert|10|km}}. The frigates are equipped with DRBV-21C (Mars) air sentry, Racal Decca RM1290 navigation and Racal Decca RM1290 landing radars along with ARBG-1A Saïgon communications intercept, CSF ARBR 16A radar intercept electronic surveillance systems and two Dagaie decoy systems.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=258}}
Ships of the Floréal class mount a {{convert|30|by|15|m|adj=on}} helicopter landing pad located on the stern and a {{convert|10|by|15|m|adj=on}} hangar.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=258}}{{sfn|Massicot|2010|p=55}} The frigates are capable of operating the embarked Eurocopter AS565 Panther up to sea state 5,{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=258}}{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=120}} and are capable of operating helicopters up to the size of the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma. However, as late as 2021, Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters were also being embarked, notably in the Pacific region.{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/interviews/2021/05/video-interview-the-french-navy-in-the-indo-pacific/ |title=Video Interview: The French Navy In The Indo-Pacific |work=Naval News |last=Vavasseur |first=Xavier |date=24 May 2021 |access-date=26 May 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://seawaves.com/?p=9878 |title=Prairial Stops in Cam Ranh Bay for Helicopter Repairs |work=Seawaves Magazine |date=16 March 2021 |access-date=17 March 2021}} In 2022, the Eurocopter Dauphin N3 was earmarked to replace the Aérospatiale Alouette III aboard some ships when the Alouette IIIs were withdrawn from service.{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/les-alouette-iii-terminent-leur-carriere-embarquee-avec-corymbe-et-rimpac |title=Les Alouette III terminent leur carrière embarquée avec Corymbe et RIMPAC |trans-title=The Alouette IIIs end their on-board career with Corymbe and RIMPAC |work=Mer et Marine |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=30 June 2022 |access-date=17 October 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/un-nouvel-helicoptere-pour-la-fregate-de-surveillance-prairial-en-polynesie |title=Un nouvel hélicoptère pour la frégate de surveillance Prairial en Polynésie |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr |trans-title=A new helicopter for the surveillance frigate Prairial in Polynesia |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=17 October 2022 |access-date=17 October 2022}} The vessels have a complement of 90 including the aircrew and officers and 24 marines with capacity for a further 13 personnel.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=258}} The ships are equipped with improved medical facilities including a consultation room and hospital beds for use during humanitarian missions.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=120}}
Construction
The first two ships were ordered on 20 January 1989, the second pair on 9 January 1990 and the final two in January 1991. The ships are named after months of the Republican Calendar.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=258}} The ships were built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique at Saint-Nazaire, France. They were built using civilian construction methods as a cost saving measure. The reduction in cost allowed the French Navy to build three for the price of one {{sclass|La Fayette|frigate|2}}. This method was also used for the later La Fayette class. Following sea trials, the vessels were sent to Arsenal de Lorient at Lorient to have their weapons installed.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|pp=119–120}}
=Ships in class=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| colspan="7" style="background:#eee;" align="center"| Construction data{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=258}} |
|---|
| scope="col" | Pennant no.
! scope="col" | Name ! scope="col" | Builder ! scope="col" | {{nowrap|Laid down}} ! scope="col" | Launched ! scope="col" | Commissioned ! scope="col" | Status |
| scope="row" | F 730
| {{ship|French frigate|Floréal||2}} | rowspan=6 align=center |Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France | 2 April 1990 | 6 October 1990 | 27 May 1992 | In service |
| scope="row" | F 731
| {{ship|French frigate|Prairial||2}} | 11 September 1990 | 16 March 1991 | 20 May 1992 | In service |
| scope="row" | F 732
| {{ship|French frigate|Nivôse||2}} | 16 January 1991 | 10 August 1991 | 16 October 1992 | In service |
| scope="row" | F 733
| {{ship|French frigate|Ventôse||2}} | 28 June 1991 | 14 March 1992 | 5 May 1993 | In service |
| scope="row" | F 734
| {{ship|French frigate|Vendémiaire||2}} | 17 January 1992 | 23 August 1992 | 21 October 1993 | In service |
| scope="row" | F 735
| {{ship|French frigate|Germinal||2}} | 17 August 1992 | 14 March 1993 | 18 May 1994 | In service |
Service
The Floréal-class frigates main purpose for the French Navy is to patrol and support French forces in the French overseas departments and regions. The vessels can also be used for humanitarian missions, ship escort and special missions.{{sfn|Massicot|2010|p=50}} Floréal and Nivôse are based at Réunion, Vendémiaire at Nouméa, Prairial at Tahiti and Ventôse and Germinal at Martinique.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=258}}{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/les-floreal-auront-un-successeur-specifique |title=Les Floréal auront un successeur spécifique |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |trans-title=The Floréals will have a specific successor |date=12 July 2017 |access-date=20 November 2020}} The frigates have served in military operations as part of the Australian-led INTERFET,{{cite book |last=Stevens |first=David |title=Strength Through Diversity: The Combined Naval Role in Operation Stabilise |series=Working Papers |volume=20 |year=2007 |publisher=Sea Power Centre - Australia |location=Canberra |isbn=978-0-642-29676-4 |issn=1834-7231 |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_20.pdf |access-date=6 September 2010 |page=14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910150114/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_20.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2012 }} in Operation Enduring Freedom in the Persian Gulf{{cite web |url=http://www.netmarine.net/bat/fregates/nivose/actu.htm |title=Histoire et actualités de la frégate Nivôse |trans-title=Frigate Nivôse history and news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106171644/http://www.netmarine.net/bat/fregates/nivose/actu.htm |archive-date=2008-11-06 |url-status=dead |work=Netmarine.net |language=fr |access-date=1 January 2020}} and in Operation Atalanta off the coast of Somalia.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/12/04/yemen.pirates/index.html?iref=topnews |title=Suspected pirates rescued in Gulf of Aden |work=CNN |date=5 December 2008 |access-date=1 January 2020}} They have served in hurricane relief forces,{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/ouragan-irma-deux-fregates-francaises-vont-porter-assistance-aux-iles-sinistrees |title=Ouragan Irma : Deux frégates françaises vont porter assistance aux îles sinistrées |trans-title=Hurricane Irma: Two French frigates to assist the disaster-stricken islands |language=fr |last=Britz |first=Caroline |work=meretmarine.com |date=7 September 2017 |access-date=24 December 2019}} and recovery operations for crashed aircraft.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/internacional/2009/06/090607_2255_airbus_brasil_cuerpos_gm.shtml |title=Rescatados 16 cuerpos en el océano |work=BBC Mundo |language=es |trans-title=16 bodies recovered in the ocean |date=7 June 2009 |access-date=31 December 2019}}
It is anticipated that the class will be replaced in French service in the 2030s with the planned European Patrol Corvette.{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/feindef/2021/11/03/amid-high-hopes-can-the-european-patrol-corvette-deliver/ |title=Amid high hopes, can the European Patrol Corvette deliver? |work=Defense News |last=Kington |first=Tom |date=3 November 2021 |access-date=31 December 2021}}
Export variants
=Royal Moroccan Navy=
File:Floreal Class Frigate.JPEG
The Royal Moroccan Navy operates two Floréal-class frigates, {{ship|Moroccan frigate|Mohammed V||2}} and {{ship|Moroccan frigate|Hassan II||2}}. The two frigates are named after the late Kings Mohammed V and Hassan II. They were acquired with three Panther helicopters in July 1999. The Moroccan frigates of the class are similar to those in French service with a few changes. The frigates are powered by a CODAD system comprising the same four SEMT Pielstick 6 PA6 L280 BPC diesel engines driving two shafts each turning a LIPS controllable pitch propeller. The CODAD system is rated at {{convert|9600|hp|order=flip}} The vessels are also equipped with one {{convert|340|hp|order=flip|adj=on}} bow thruster. Other differences include one OTO Melara 76 mm turret with Najir fire control system located forwards instead of the French 100 mm gun. The frigates are capable of being armed with two 20 mm modèle F2 guns situated in atop the aft superstructure, but did not come with the weapons installed. In place of the {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} guns, the Moroccan Floréal-class frigates can be fitted with twin launchers for Simbad surface-to-air missiles. The Moroccan frigates are equipped with two Decca Bridgemaster radars, one for use as navigational radar, the other for helicopter control, and Thomsen-CSF ARBR 17 radar intercept electronic surveillance system.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=531}}
==Ships in class==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| colspan="7" style="background:#eee;" align="center"| Construction data{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=531}} |
|---|
| scope="col" | Pennant no.
! scope="col" | Name ! scope="col" | Builder ! scope="col" | {{nowrap|Laid down}} ! scope="col" | Launched ! scope="col" | Commissioned ! scope="col" | Status |
| scope="row" | 611
| {{ship|Moroccan frigate|Mohammed V||2}} | rowspan=2 align=center| Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France | June 1999 | 9 March 2001 | 12 March 2002 | In service |
| scope="row" | 612
| {{ship|Moroccan frigate|Hassan II||2}} | December 1999 | 11 February 2002 | 20 December 2002 | In service |
=Philippines=
STX France revealed a modernized variant of the Floréal class that it offered to the Philippine Navy in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/stx-france-leve-le-voile-sur-defendseas |title=STX France lève le voile sur Defendseas |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr |date=30 October 2014 |access-date=25 April 2015 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web|url=http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/stx-france-se-relance-dans-le-militaire |title=STX France se relance dans le militaire |language=fr |work=Mer et Marine |date=27 October 2014 |access-date=25 April 2015 |url-access=subscription}}
See also
- List of naval ship classes in service
- {{sclass|Nordkapp|offshore patrol vessel|1}}
Citations
{{Reflist}}
References
- {{cite book |author1-last=Jordan |author1-first=John |name-list-style=amp |chapter=France |year=1995 |editor1-last=Chumbley |editor1-first=Stephen |title=Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-55750-132-7 |pages=95–131}}
- {{cite book |last=Massicot |first=Jean |year=2010 |title=Navires de guerre et marine française |language=fr |publisher=Desnoel |location=Toulon, France |isbn=978-1-4461-4597-5 }}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |year=2009 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 |publisher=Jane's Information Group Inc. |edition=112 |location=Alexandria, Virginia |isbn=978-0-7106-2888-6 }}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/florealclassfrigate/ Floréal Class Frigate, France]
- {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131007024027/http://www.dfeeler.com/forecastinc/sampledocs/Warships/Floreal.doc Forecast International: Floreal Class]}}
{{Floréal class frigate}}
{{French Navy Vehicle}}
{{Ship classes of the Royal Moroccan Navy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Floreal}}