Floréal class frigate
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| Floréal class frigate | |
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| Class overview | |
| Type: | frigate |
| Name: | Floréal class |
| Builders: | Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint Nazaire |
| Operators: | Image:Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg French Navy Image:Naval Ensign of Morocco.svg Royal Moroccan Navy |
| Preceded by: | D'Estienne d'Orves class |
| Succeeded by: | La Fayette class frigate |
| Commissioned: | 27 May 1992 |
| Ships in class: | 6 (France) 2 (Morocco) |
| Ships active: | France Floréal, Prairial, Nivôse, Ventôse, Vendémiaire, Germinal |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 2600 tonnes (2950 tonnes full load) |
| Length: | 93,50 m |
| Beam: | 14 m |
| Draught: | 4,40 m |
| Propulsion and power: | 4 diesel SEMT Pielstick 6PA6 L280 Auxiliaries : 1 Ulstein 200 kW beam propulsor |
| Speed: | 20 knots (37 km/h) |
| Range: | 10000 nautical miles (19,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h), 13000 nautical miles (24,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Complement: | 11 officers 36 non-commissioned officers |
| Armament: | 2 Exocet MM38 missiles 1 x 100 mm CADAM turret with Najir fire control system |
| Sensors: | Radar:
Navigation
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| Electronic warfare: | ARBG-1A Saïgon 2 Dagaie decoy systems |
| Aircraft carried: | 1 Panther helicopter |
The Floréal class is a type of light "sentry frigates" designed for the needs of the French Navy after the end of the Cold War, ordered in 1989. They use construction standards of commercial ships. The ships are named after months of the Republican Calendar.
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[edit] Definition of the requirements
After the end of the Cold War, it was felt that the risks of a large-scale military confrontation had all but disappeared. The Marine Nationale had to face new missions, while its escort avisos from the 80s were aging, and also badly adapted to low-risk zones.
The concept of "sentry frigate" emerged from the will of the French government to protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (12 million km²), as defined in the Montego Bay treaties. Another need was to address matters of humanitarian aid, diplomacy, or naval law enforcement. To address these missions, an onboard helicopter is clearly the optimal solution, provide versatile, swift and long-range capabilities to deliver support, ferry or rescue.
These constraints defined the need for a ship which would be small; extremely stable to allow use of a heavy helicopter in all weather; small crew, while retaining capacities to accommodate navy commandos; light armament; economic and long-range propulsion system.
[edit] Construction
To make the ship more economical, civilian construction methods were used at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint Nazaire. The ships use the SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) regulations, which require the hull to have eleven watertight compartments. The rules of the classification society Det Norske Veritas are used for energy production and safety. The ships were built in series, each with six pre-fabricated parts weighing up to 570 tonnes that were assembled and welded in a dry dock. (The construction method was later used for the La Fayette class). The first trials at sea were carried out in 1991 with an entirely civilian crew, while the Marine Nationale was only present as an observer.
[edit] Equipment
The armament was ordered from the DCN Lorient, a traditional naval provider for the French Navy. The Floréal class, though designed to operate in low-risk areas, carry their own armament (they are not dependent on their helicopter).
The most visible piece of armament is the standard 100 mm multipurpose gun turret, which is a feature of most modern French warships. It is installed in one block, with the magazine shelter and the targeting computer. All Floreal frigates are fitted with two Exocet missile launchers, a Dagaie decoy launcher system, two 20 mm Mod F2 cannons, as well as a complete range of detection and counter-measure electronics.
The helicopter is a naval Panther, carrying no armament itself.
[edit] Royal Moroccan Navy
The Royal Moroccan Navy ( Marine Royale ) operates 2 Floreal class frigates. The 2 frigates are named after the late Kings Mohammed V and Hassan II. The 2 frigates are accompanied by a total of 3 Panther helicopters.
Germinal 1.jpg
Frigate Germinal in Cherbourg |
Floreal-Bora-Bora.jpg
Frigate Floréal, stationned in Bora-Bora lagoon |
Prairial 1.jpg
The frigate Prairial leaving Papeete for a long mission in South America |
Ventose 1.jpg
Frigate Ventôse |
Vendemiaire 1.jpg
Frigate Vendémiaire in Papeete harbour |
Vendemiaire 2.jpg
Frigate Vendémiaire manoeuvering in Papeete harbour |
Vendemiaire 3.jpg
Frigate Vendémiaire manoeuvering in Papeete harbour |
Vendemiaire 4.jpg
Frigate Vendémiaire manoeuvering in Papeete harbour |
Vendemiaire 5.jpg
Frigate Vendémiaire manoeuvering in Papeete harbour |
[edit] See also
Floréal-class frigate | |
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| Image:Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg French Navy | Floréal (F 730) | Germinal (F735) | Nivôse (F 732) | Prairial (F 731) | Vendémiaire (F734) | Ventôse (F733) |
| Image:Naval Ensign of Morocco.svg Royal Moroccan Navy | Mohammed V (611) | Hassan II (612) |
| List of French current frigates List of ships of the Royal Moroccan Navy | |
it:Classe Floréal (fregata) ja:フロレアル級フリゲート
