Key Takeaways:
- 1. The final two French Defence and Intervention Frigates (FDI) will be equipped with 32 Aster missile cells for enhanced air defense capabilities.
- 2. The first three FDI frigates will undergo retrofits to match this upgraded configuration.
- 3. The FDI program is a key part of France’s naval modernization strategy, with deliveries of five frigates planned through the early 2030s.
The French National Assembly’s Defense Commission confirmed that the last two FDI frigates will have heightened air defense capabilities with 32 Aster missile cells, doubling the initial capacity. The decision, made during budget discussions, signifies a significant upgrade to the class's anti-air warfare capabilities. The FDI program, developed by Naval Group, aims to modernize France's navy, with the lead ship already delivered and the next two being retrofitted to match the enhanced configuration. This enhancement addresses evolving threats and operational needs, filling a capability gap and aligning with export variants. The decision ensures the French Navy will possess improved air defense capabilities for extended deployments or high-intensity operations.
Insight: The upgrade to the FDI frigates' air defense capabilities with 32 Aster missile cells reflects evolving threats and operational lessons from recent conflicts. This enhancement aligns the French Navy's configuration with export variants and addresses a capability gap, ensuring improved defense capabilities for extended deployments or high-intensity operations.
This article was curated by memoment.jp from the feed source: Naval News.
Read the original article here: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/11/france-to-double-aster-missile-capacity-on-fdi-frigates/
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