DCNS delivers multi-mission frigate Provence, the second FREMM for the French Navy

[Gabriel92]

On June 12th in Brest, DCNS delivered the FREMM multi-mission frigate Provence to the French Navy, as stipulated in the contract. This frigate is the second of the series ordered by OCCAR on behalf of the DGA (French armament procurement agency). Delivery of the FREMM multi-mission frigate Provence is the result of a design and construction process managed by DCNS in close cooperation with the French Navy, DGA and OCCAR teams.

All DCNS sites, its partners and subcontractors took part to this technological and industrial success to ensure compliance with the industrial milestones, in particular the launching in September 2013 and the first sea outing in September 2014.

The delivery of the second series to the French Navy took place just a few weeks after the first successful firing in Europe of a naval cruise missile from the first-of-class, the FREMM Aquitaine.

The sale of a frigate to the Royal Moroccan Navy and the Egyptian Navy, as well as the announcement of the launch of the intermediate-size frigates programme, boost DCNS ambitions for international development thanks to a broader offer of first of rank surface ships.

“The delivery of the FREMM Provence represents an opportunity to applaud the industrial and technological prowess of DCNS and its subcontractors. It underlines our ability to produce first of rankcombat ships that meet our client navies needs, such as those of Morocco and Egypt,” stated Anne Bianchi, Director of FREMM programmes. “Today, we are proud to deliver this second ship to the French Navy.”

SETIS®, one of the most effective sea-proven combat systems on the market
The delivery of the FREMM Provence marks the culmination in the ramping up of SETIS®, the latest-generation combat system developed by DCNS. The ship is now equipped with a cutting-edge solution that is perfectly integrated on board. Indeed, the successful firing of the naval cruise missile on May 19th2015 from the FREMM Aquitaine is a demonstration of the anti-land warfare capabilities directed at targets located deep in enemy territory. Added to the anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare capabilities, the FREMM has now reached its full technological capabilities.
“DCNS has successfully accomplished this essential step for the FREMM SETIS® combat system. We are proud to have contributed to the successful firing of a cruise missile from a surface ship, a first in Europe. This result is a demonstration of DCNS expertise in the area of the design and integration of combat systems,” stressed Anne Bianchi.

DCNS delivers multi-mission frigate Provence, the second FREMM for the French Navy

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[The enlightened]

Apart from stealth, how does this compare to our Shivalik class?
@Taygibay

 

[Taygibay]

Apart from stealth, how does this compare to our Shivalik class?

Hum, Good comparison mate!
Especially since their size is identical 142m with the Fremm being 3+ m wider but yours
displaces a bit more ( 2k T ) due to heavier old school construction ( First Indian steel ships )
and weapons, Russki and derived ( not counting the Elta stuff ).
Cost is also comparable but the Fremm costs more 650 M$ S / 600m Euros F.
The propulsion systems are also designed for both with Diesels running twin turbines &
a separate gas engine for higher speeds ( CODLOG ). [ The Italian Fremms are CODAG, lucky them. ]
Our engines are the reliable MTU.
Top speed favors the Shiv-Cl 32- 22 kn to 27+ /15-19 for the Fremm. Logically, in reverse,
the range then favors the Fremm by about a thousand kliks ( 5k to 6k ).
Main guns are 76mm Oto-Melara SR ( yours made locally ) for both.

Radars can be given as both PESA types but comparisons stop there : two faces for your
Fregat type and 300km range against a fighter in E-band versus two faces S-band and 250 km
for the Herakles. However, the Thales system wins on dual use against ground targets that are
separate on the Shivs ( Elta ) plus NCTR and integrated IFF as well as being designed for the
Asters while yours are added to the Klub and Barak and Bhramos. The Aster goes for all ranges
covered by the Shtils and Barak which makes things simpler ( a bit like the MICA from short to
long range with the same missile ). Performances are comparable with a slight speed advantage
for the Aster. Exocet block 3 is superior to Klub IMHoO ( range apart ) and already well exported.
Scalp Naval vs Bhramos is impossible to gauge. Bhramos wins hands down in speed of course …
but its range is less than half that of MDCN so it will be a ship defense system on the Shivs. The Klubs
are then your cruise missile variant again with incredibly short range. This points to the Shivs as more
of an anti-surface ship ( more weapons for that ) with way less land attack capabilities.
On the helps front, the Shivs have a dual hangar for 2 Sea Kings / Druvs while the French Fremms
have only one hangar ( Italians have two ) for a combo NH-90 and drone. The drone to be used might
be a bigger derivative of the Schiebel Camcopter S-100 used on the Adroit, not decided yet.

Combat system is where the gains are for the Fremm. The Shiv can do about as well mind you but
integration is higher. The Artemis IRST completes the Herakles while Shivs add the ELTA STAR for
a totalof 4 different radars ( plus BEL one to drive the missiles ).
The Fremm ones are linked by a high speed data system that uses top Link 11,16 and 22 as well as
JSAT to talk with other platforms. Considering that network-centric is the way of the future of warfare,
this is not to be minimized. This shows in the personnel complement : Shivaliks require 275 sailors
but Fremms make do with 145 up to 160 for high-intensity applications. Considering similar sizes, this
tells you of the automation, integration differences.
The drawbacks that I see as a national for the Fremm however are that it could have benefited from a
PAAMS / EMPAR system as on the Horizon and better yet Type 45 and that there should be more VLS
Sylver 70 added to embark Aster 30. Of course, the modular aspects of that high integration combat sys-
tem mean that it could be done as the upgradability in the future is very high as a consequence. Sadly,
seeing how fleet numbers were cut and the habit of our politicos to promise stuff and then drop the ball …
I wouldn't count on those added launchers. A 127mm gun would have been nice too but that's a general
disease of modern ships under destroyer size seen in almost all navies.

So to summarize, the Shivaliks are dimensioned for naval warfare as in Indian Ocean defense while the
FREMMs ( Fr esp. ) are longer range more expeditionary types with an advantage for evolution.
In a dense environment, advantage to yours; for daily use and coalition work advantage to ours.

I hope this helps, Tay.

 

[The enlightened]

Hum, Good comparison mate!
Especially since their size is identical 142m with the Fremm being 3+ m wider but yours
displaces a bit more ( 2k T ) due to heavier old school construction ( First Indian steel ships )
and weapons, Russki and derived ( not counting the Elta stuff ).
Cost is also comparable but the Fremm costs more 650 M$ S / 600m Euros F.
The propulsion systems are also designed for both with Diesels running twin turbines &
a separate gas engine for higher speeds ( CODLOG ). [ The Italian Fremms are CODAG, lucky them. ]
Our engines are the reliable MTU.
Top speed favors the Shiv-Cl 32- 22 kn to 27+ /15-19 for the Fremm. Logically, in reverse,
the range then favors the Fremm by about a thousand kliks ( 5k to 6k ).
Main guns are 76mm Oto-Melara SR ( yours made locally ) for both.

Radars can be given as both PESA types but comparisons stop there : two faces for your
Fregat type and 300km range against a fighter in E-band versus two faces S-band and 250 km
for the Herakles. However, the Thales system wins on dual use against ground targets that are
separate on the Shivs ( Elta ) plus NCTR and integrated IFF as well as being designed for the
Asters while yours are added to the Klub and Barak and Bhramos. The Aster goes for all ranges
covered by the Shtils and Barak which makes things simpler ( a bit like the MICA from short to
long range with the same missile ). Performances are comparable with a slight speed advantage
for the Aster. Exocet block 3 is superior to Klub IMHoO ( range apart ) and already well exported.
Scalp Naval vs Bhramos is impossible to gauge. Bhramos wins hands down in speed of course …
but its range is less than half that of MDCN so it will be a ship defense system on the Shivs. The Klubs
are then your cruise missile variant again with incredibly short range. This points to the Shivs as more
of an anti-surface ship ( more weapons for that ) with way less land attack capabilities.
On the helps front, the Shivs have a dual hangar for 2 Sea Kings / Druvs while the French Fremms
have only one hangar ( Italians have two ) for a combo NH-90 and drone. The drone to be used might
be a bigger derivative of the Schiebel Camcopter S-100 used on the Adroit, not decided yet.

Combat system is where the gains are for the Fremm. The Shiv can do about as well mind you but
integration is higher. The Artemis IRST completes the Herakles while Shivs add the ELTA STAR for
a totalof 4 different radars ( plus BEL one to drive the missiles ).
The Fremm ones are linked by a high speed data system that uses top Link 11,16 and 22 as well as
JSAT to talk with other platforms. Considering that network-centric is the way of the future of warfare,
this is not to be minimized. This shows in the personnel complement : Shivaliks require 275 sailors
but Fremms make do with 145 up to 160 for high-intensity applications. Considering similar sizes, this
tells you of the automation, integration differences.
The drawbacks that I see as a national for the Fremm however are that it could have benefited from a
PAAMS / EMPAR system as on the Horizon and better yet Type 45 and that there should be more VLS
Sylver 70 added to embark Aster 30. Of course, the modular aspects of that high integration combat sys-
tem mean that it could be done as the upgradability in the future is very high as a consequence. Sadly,
seeing how fleet numbers were cut and the habit of our politicos to promise stuff and then drop the ball …
I wouldn't count on those added launchers. A 127mm gun would have been nice too but that's a general
disease of modern ships under destroyer size seen in almost all navies.

So to summarize, the Shivaliks are dimensioned for naval warfare as in Indian Ocean defense while the
FREMMs ( Fr esp. ) are longer range more expeditionary types with an advantage for evolution.
In a dense environment, advantage to yours; for daily use and coalition work advantage to ours.

I hope this helps, Tay.

Thats one long post dammit Thanks for the effort
Over all I agree, except some small nitpicking

the Shivaliks are dimensioned for naval warfare as in Indian Ocean defense while the
FREMMs ( Fr esp. ) are longer range more expeditionary types

From wiki

Shivalik :In excess of 5,000 nautical miles(9,000 km) at 18 kn
FREMM :6,000 nm (11,000 km (6,800 mi)) at 15 knots
Can't say from here, which is better, but overall I don't think it should greatly affect doctrines.

Overall, the Shiv is a comparatively old design which came about in the 90's and it is not a real surprise that it came in behind.

 

[Taygibay]

Well, yes @The enlightened That kind of choice is an indication of use.
If you favor legs over speed, it shows a predilection for projection ( Fremm )
whereas shorter range but more numerous weapons on a faster platform show
a tendency towards engagement.
The two classes are not exactly shaped to similar doctrines IMHoO.

Agreed on the rest, Tay.