French Navy Takes Delivery of Final FREMM Frigate ‘Lorraine’
The French Navy has taken delivery of its eighth and final FREMM multipurpose frigate from local shipbuilder Naval Group.
Named the Lorraine, the new vessel will support maritime operations and carry out precision strikes using an MBDA-built naval cruise missile.
During its transit in the Mediterranean Sea, the frigate was tested to check if its 76-millimeter turret was functioning properly.
The French Navy will continue evaluating the ship’s military performance and onboard systems.
After the exercises and deployment, the FREMM frigate will formally enter active service as one of fifteen top frigates in service with the navy by 2030.
It will join other FREMM frigates, including the Alsace (D656), Provence (D652), and Languedoc (D653).
‘An Air-Defense Variant’
Launched in 2020, the FREMM Frigate Lorraine is reportedly a powerfully armed surface combatant fitted with sophisticated air defense weapons and equipment.
It is equipped with Aster 15 and 30 surface-to-air missiles and Exocet MM 40 anti-ship missiles.
The vessel also features the Herakles multi-function radar with a simultaneous tracking capacity of 400 air and surface targets.
It can travel at a maximum speed of 27 knots (50 kilometers/31 miles per hour) and accommodate up to 165 personnel.
It can also deploy the Caïman multi-role helicopter equipped with anti-submarine warfare capability.
