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New Capabilities for French Lafayette Class Frigates

Indus Falcon

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Update to French Military Planning Law Means New Capabilities for Lafayette Class Frigates
Thursday, 21 May 2015


The French Ministry of Defense just released an update to its Military Planning Law (Loie de Programmation Militaire) with some impact for the French Navy fleet:
Lafayette class frigates will be fitted with sonars and FREMM and FTI Frigates programs will be accelerated.

Lafayette_Frigate_MM40_Exocet_Salvo_Fire_French_Navy.jpg

The French Navy Lafayette frigate (designated light stealth frigate in the French Navy) is seen here launching its salvo of two MM40 Block II anti-ship missiles. Picture: French Navy


Excerpt from the French MoD Document (unofficial translation).


By the 2014-2019 timeframe, in addition to their capacity dedicated to the protection of our Maritime approaches and state action at sea, our naval forces will experience an important transformation in regards to anti-submarine warfare, action on land and sea control. The combined effect of increased level of commitment of our naval forces on 5 deployment areas, the increased requirements against the terrorist threat, the impact of export contracts (including Egypt) induce adjustments to match the original plan.

Carrier Strike Group
The second major technical refit of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will begin in 2017. In addition to reloading nuclear cores this refit will be put to use to perform an operation for the maintenance of key operational capabilities and adaptation to a carrier strike group centered on the Rafale, consecutive to the final withdrawal of Super-Etendard Modernisé in 2016.

SSN
At the end of 2018, the first of six new Barracuda type nuclear submarines, replacing Ruby, will be delivered and accepted for active service. The Barracuda will present multi-role capabilities in addition to intelligence capabilities with heavy torpedo, the naval cruise missile (MdCN) and, where necessary, combat swimmers.

Frigates
The construction and admission to active duty of multi-mission frigates (FREMM) started before 2014 will continue: 6 will be delivered before mid-2019. The next two, delivered in 2021 and 2022, will have enhanced capacity to replace the two Cassard class air defense frigates. Rounding up to a capacity of 15 first-class frigates and comply with the principle of differentiation, a new program of "intermediate size frigates" (FTI) is advanced, with a target of first delivery in 2023.
In this context, a renovation program for the Lafayette class stealth frigates will be launched during the period: Renovations will be carried out over the scheduled technical shutdowns. These frigates renovation will consists (among other things) in the fitting of a sonar system. They will carry out the tasks arising from operational contracts in the transition phase that will accompany the delivery of future midsize frigates (FTI).
The FREMM will be fitted with naval cruise missile (MdCN) from 2015, the anti-ship missile Exocet MM 40 B3 extended range, anti-submarine torpedo MU 90, NFH90 ASW helicopter and ASTER air defense missile.

Logistical fleet
The Flotlog logistics fleet intended to replace existing replenishment oilers and other support vessels will include 3 units, the first of which will be commissioned at the end of the period.

MPA
The first modernized maritime patrol aircraft ATL 2 will be dedelivered in 2018 and the second in 2019 (out of the fifteen planned).

ASW Helicopter
The NFH90 (Nato Frigate Helicopter) "combat" variant is fitted on board FREMM and Horizon frigates. The Caiman also plays an active role in sea rescue missions in its "support" variant. To ensure these missions 27 NFH90 are being delivered. The first 24 will be delivered before the end of this military planning law.


Lafayette_Frigate_French_Navy.jpg

Lafayette frigate. Picture: Marine Nationale / Emmanuel Rathelot


In addition, it has to be noted that a fourth B2M vessel will be ordered (as French Defense Minister implied in February) as well as four offshore support vessels (BSAH program). French MoD also decided to speed up the procurement of a ninth FREMM Frigate compared to what was originally planned.

Finally, it is not clear yet what the Lafayette class frigate modernization program will consist in. French MoD only mentions "the fitting of a sonar among other things". Contacted by Navy Recognition, the French Navy, DCNS or French Procurement Agency could not make any comment. The possiblity of the class fitted with new radar and vertical launch surface to air missiles appear slim however. It is not clear yet if the sonar will be hull mounted or towed, however Thales' CAPTAS 2 variable depth sonar is a strong possibility.

With such an equipment (VDS sonar), Navy Recognition understands that Lafayette class Frigates (which are currently all based in Toulon, in the Mediterranean fleet) could be based in Brest in the future (French Navy Atlantic Fleet) for a new mission: securing the underwater maritime zones when French Navy SSBNs (also based near Brest) deploy on their patrols.

Update to French Military Planning Law Means New Capabilities for Lafayette Class Frigates
 
If i were French i'd be feeling like a kid on Christmas day with such news.

So i should shut up and say it's better than nothing,because the update of that Military programming law is very low for me. (and a lot of my fellow) :lol:
But it's better than cuts or whatever. (I hope that the things will get even better under the next govt...
Anyway,it is the first time since the end of the cold war that the size/budget of the armed forces will increase)

@Indus Falcon Thank you for that post.
 
In this context, a renovation program for the Lafayette class stealth frigates will be launched during the period: Renovations will be carried out over the scheduled technical shutdowns. These frigates renovation will consists (among other things) in the fitting of a sonar system. They will carry out the tasks arising from operational contracts in the transition phase that will accompany the delivery of future midsize frigates (FTI).

DCNS to modernize French Navy La Fayette-class frigates

FS La Fayette at sea. Photo: DCNS
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded DCNS a contract to renovate three of the five La Fayette-class frigates (FLF) currently in service with the French Navy.

The renovation work, which will start in 2020, will be performed in Toulon and synchronised with the scheduled overhauls of the frigates.

The first renovated FLF will be delivered in 2021.

DCNS will renew the ships’ platform and the combat systems. Work will include renovation of electronic and IT systems used to manage the vessel’s installations (propulsion, steering gear, power generation…).

The frigates’ current combat command system will be replaced by a version derived from the one used on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, the tactical data links will be modernised and the CROTALE anti-air warfare system will be replaced by 2 renovated SADRAL launchers.

Lastly, the La Fayette-class Frigates will be equipped with an anti-submarine capacity, with the integration of a hull-mounted sonar and anti-torpedo countermeasures.

“DCNS thanks the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) for its confidence and welcomes this notification related to the platform and combat system modernization of the La Fayette class frigates,” Nathalie Smirnov, Head of Services at DCNS declared. “These operations are major and have never been realized so far on this kind of frigate. This modernization perfectly enhances DCNS’ role and know-how as integrator and modernizator of many systems on the French Navy’s vessels.”

http://navaltoday.com/2017/05/08/dcns-to-modernize-french-navy-la-fayette-class-frigates/

Why they not use A35 with quadpacked VT1 or A43 with VL Mica is a mystery to me. Probably a money issue. Still, not very helpfull in promoting French anti-air and VLS products, IMHO. Relevant inputs anyone?
 
It's very complex, my good mate.

This first modernization concerns 3 ships out of 5.
And the Sadrals are swapped from existing/recuperated.
The 20 mikes F2 will become a Narwahl unit.

Further, will the 2 remaining units be modded &
should have an extra ASW typology but will they?
Sadrals for them will be available circa 2019-21.
Etc.

MICA VL are expected if at all for a later mod but
at this stage, we're chatting astrology here, augur.

Have a great day, Tay.
 
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The fully autonomous Mistral Sadral Sextuplet Launcher.

X11086116-69.jpg


mistral_sadral_launcher1.jpg


@Taygibay: Sandral systems from the two retired Suffren class, no doubt?
zQiPBbW.jpg
 
Correction:

"Navy Recognition believes this upgrade would address two major obsolescences: The ageing Crotale missiles (designed in the 70ies and produces in the 80ies) are nearing the end of their shelf life. In addition, according to our information, Crotale's effectiveness against modern sea-skimming anti-ship missiles is limited."

"The upgrade would be fairly affordable as the plan is to re-use existing launchers currently fitted aboard the Georges Leygues-class ASW Frigates (as they are being replaced by FREMM Frigates)."

"The construction and admission to active duty of multi-mission frigates (FREMM) started before 2014 will continue: 6 will be delivered before mid-2019. The next two, delivered in 2021 and 2022, will have enhanced capacity to replace the two Cassard class air defense frigates.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/inde...-sam-systems-may-be-replaced-with-sadral.html

The Crotale replaced by Sadral
On the level of the armament, for budgetary questions, the turret of 100mm should remain in place, all the other frigates of the navy being from 2022 equipped with guns of 76mm. However, anti-aircraft self-defense will be seriously improved with the disembarkation of the old Crotale surface-to-air system (8 VT1 missiles in battery and 16 in hold). It will be replaced by two Sadral launchers, each equipped with 6 ready-to-use Mistral missiles.
The six Sadrals required for the modernization of the three "first" FLFs will be recovered following the withdrawal of the anti-submarine frigates Dupleix (2015), Montcalm (2017) and Jean de Vienne (2018) The end of the 1990s in the context of the OP3A recast. Their Sadral will be reconditioned before being re-embarked on the FLF.
If it is then decided to modernize the La Fayette and the Surcouf, the French Navy will be able to recover the Sadral from the anti-aircraft frigates Cassard and Jean Bart, which have two systems of this type and will be replaced in 2021 and 2022 by the FREMM DA.
The Mistral is a short-range self-defense missile (6 kilometers) designed by MBDA to neutralize the enemy, Anti-ship missiles and aircraft. But it also offers a capacity to react against surface targets, including fast boats, as demonstrated by the tests carried out successfully a few years ago by a frigate of the Cassard type. It will be a very interesting asset to improve the protection of La Fayette against asymmetric attacks.
Translated from http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/la-renovation-des-fregates-du-type-la-fayette

https://translate.google.com/transl...on-des-fregates-du-type-la-fayette&edit-text=

So, that thingy aboard the Suffren class (orange-white, behind the MM38, forward of the inflatable liferafts) is probably a chaff/decoy launcher?

Dupleix (Leygues class): Sandral on bridge wings.
1280px-Dupleix_%28D641%29.jpg
 
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In a straight line between the beige radome aft of the Sadral
slanting aft and down to the gun turret, it's the odd-shaped
block on a foot.

The second decoy is the pair of life-boat like smaller barrels,
again in an aft and down slanted line from the Crotale unit
to the row of life boats on the hangar wall. They're grey.

You'll see it much better with a better image as in bigger :
httpx://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Dupleix_%28D641%29.jpg

From the avisos on up, it would be a Dagaie or a Syllex.
The Syllex is more slender.

Great day to you, Tay
 
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