The French frigate Surcouf
Class overview
NameLa Fayette class
BuildersDNCS
Operators
Preceded byFloréal class
Succeeded byFrégates de taille intermédiaire (starting in 2024)
Subclasses
  • Al Riyadh class (Saudi Arabia)
  • Formidable class (Singapore)
  • Kang Ding class (ROC Taiwan)
In commission1996–present
Completed20
Active20
General characteristics
TypeGeneral purpose frigate
Displacement
  • 3,200 t (3,100 long tons)
  • 3,800 t (3,700 long tons) fully loaded
Length125 m (410 ft 1 in)
Beam15.4 m (50 ft 6 in)
Draught4.1 m (13 ft 5 in)
Propulsion4 diesel SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2, 21,000 hp (16,000 kW)
Speed25 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range
  • 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
  • 9,000 nmi (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Endurance50 days of food
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 × ETN boats
Capacity350 t (390 short tons) of fuel, 80 m3 (2,800 cu ft) of kerosene, 60 t (66 short tons) of potable water
Complement164+;[1] around 6 additional personnel on Courbet, La Fayette and Aconit post-upgrade[2]
Sensors and
processing systems
  • 1 × DRBN34 navigation radar
  • 1 × DRBN34 landing radar
  • 1 × Air/Surface DRBV 15C sentry radar
  • 1 × Thales TAVITAC combat management system (fitted to Surcouf and Guépratte)
  • 1 × SENIT FLF combat management system (replaced previous Thales TAVITAC CMS on La Fayette, Courbet and Aconit)[3]
  • 1 × firing control radar for the 100 mm gun
  • 1 × CN2 firing control radar
  • 1 × Saïgon ARBG 1 radio interceptor
  • 1 × ARBR 21 radar interceptor
  • 2 × Dagaie Mk2 AMGL-1C chaff launcher
  • CANTO anti-torpedo countermeasures (fitted to La Fayette in 2021-22 and Aconit in 2023; to be fitted to Courbet in due course)[4][5]
  • 1 × AN/SLQ-25 Nixie tugged noise maker
  • 1 × Prairie-Masker noise reduction system
  • 1 × Integrated Shipboard Communication System ISCS (SNTI 120 ch.)
  • 1 × SEAO/OPSMER Naval command support system
  • 1 × Syracuse II satellite transmission system
  • 1 × Inmarsat navigation system
  • 1 × BlueWatcher sonar (Surcouf only)[6]
  • 1 × KingKlip Mk 2 hull-mounted sonar (fitted to Courbet, La Fayette and Aconit)
Armament
ArmourOn sensitive areas (munition magazine and control centre)
Aircraft carried1 × helicopter (Panther or NH90)

The La Fayette class (also known as FL-3000 for "Frégate Légère de 3,000 tonnes", or FLF for Frégate Légère Furtive) is a class of general purpose frigates built by DCNS in the 1980s/90s and still operated by the French Navy today. Derivatives of the type are in service in the navies of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Taiwan.

The ships were originally known as "stealth frigates" due to their unique stealth design at the time. Their reduced radar cross section is achieved by a clean superstructure compared to conventional designs, angled sides and radar absorbent material, a composite material of wood and glass fibre as hard as steel, light, and resistant to fire. Most modern combat ships built since the introduction of the La Fayette class have followed the same principles of stealth.

All information gathered by the onboard sensors is managed by the Information Processing System, the electronic brain of the operation centre of the ship. It is completed by an electronic command aid system.

The ships are designed to accommodate a 10-tonne (9.8-long-ton) helicopter in the Panther or NH90 range (though they are also capable of operating the Super Frelon and similar heavy helicopters). These helicopters can carry anti-ship missiles AM39 or AS15, and they can be launched during sea state five or six due to the Samahé helicopter handling system. France ordered five ships of the La Fayette class in 1988, the last of which entered service in 2001. In the French Navy, they will be incrementally superseded in "first-rank" functions by five frégates de taille intermédiaire (FTI, "intermediate size frigates") from 2024.[9][10][11]

French version

Background

In the late 1980s, the French Navy (Marine Nationale) started the studies for frigates adapted to low-intensity conflicts in the post–Cold War era. The ships were to serve in the large French exclusive economic zone (EEZ), be adapted to humanitarian operations or low-intensity operations in support of land troops, and replace the aging D'Estienne d'Orves-class avisos, which tended to prove too focused on naval operations and were ill-suited for joint operations.

Conventional warships used in low-intensity or humanitarian relief operations proved costly, with their heavy equipment and large crew. Hence came the requirement for lightly armed frigates with economical engines and small crew. In Italy, the same requirements led to the development of the Cassiopea and Minerva type corvettes, built according to both civilian and military standards. These ships were limited to 1,300 tonnes (1,300 long tons) because the limited size and depth of the Mediterranean Sea and the proximity of the homeland. The French Navy, on the other hand, had to be present in overseas territories, bases and EEZ. To be enduring enough, the ships had to reach 3,000 tonnes (3,000 long tons), the size of a frigate. The larger displacement allows combining strong firepower (like the Minerva class) and a capacity for a medium helicopter (like the Cassiopea class), along with a good autonomy and seaworthiness.

The first type of ships built on these principles were the Floréal-class frigates, built on civilian standards, with a limited armament, and carrying a medium helicopter. These ships are high endurance units designed to be operated in overseas territories in the Caribbean Sea, Polynesia, and New Caledonia and the EEZ, where the likelihood of a naval threat is low. The speed is limited to 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) because of the low-power engines which emphasised autonomy and reliability. To fight pirates in fast rigid-hulled inflatable boats, the Floréals rely on their onboard helicopter and marine detachment.

The niche for more hostile environments is covered by the La Fayette type, designed to operate in complex zones like the Indian Ocean or Djibouti. These ships were to be able to secure the EEZ, but also to operate in naval groups or intelligence gathering missions. The intended role for the ships was in fact very varied, because the experience of the C.70 class, with an intended 20 ships cut down to only nine (the seven Georges Leygues-class frigates and two Cassard-class frigates) had taught that project downsizing and reorganisation could lead to badly balanced naval capabilities. The new ships were to benefit from breakthroughs in stealth ("furtivité") achieved by the DCN in the 1980s.

It took several years to refine the concept, and the first ship was eventually launched in 1992, two years after the final design was completed. Weapon system testing took place in 1994, and particularly extensive trials were undertaken to prove the structure of the ship under a wide range of conditions. La Fayette was eventually commissioned in March 1996.

Stealth

The La Fayette type features very clean superstructures, as Courbet demonstrates

At the time of their commissioning, the units of the La Fayette class were the state of the art in stealth for warships. The shape of the hull and the superstructures is devised for the optimal reduction of the radar signature, which has been reduced by 60 percent: a 3,000-tonne La Fayette unit has the typical radar signature of a 1,200-tonne ship. Stealth is achieved with inclined flanks, as few vertical lines as possible, and very clean lines and superstructures: stairs and mooring equipment are internal, and prominent structures are covered by clear surfaces. The superstructures are built using radar-absorbent synthetic materials.

Their radar cross-section is equivalent to that of a large fishing boat, which can make camouflage among civilian ships possible; or that of a much less capable corvette, which could lead an enemy to underestimate the capabilities of the ship. In case of a direct attack, the small radar signature helps evade enemy missiles and fire control systems. The La Fayettes are also equipped with jammers that can generate false radar images, as well as decoy launchers.

Thanks to the adoption of low-power diesel motors and a special heat dissipation system, the La Fayette ships have a low thermal signature. The usual funnel is replaced with a small sets of pipes, aft of the mast, which cool the exit gas before it is released. The ships usually operate in warm areas, which further decreases the thermal contrast with the environment.

The magnetic signature is reduced by the presence of a demagnetisation belt.

The acoustic signature is minimized by mounting the engines on elastomeric supports, which minimize vibration transfers to the hull, and by rubber coatings on the propellers. The La Fayettes are equipped with the Prairie Masker active acoustic camouflage system, which generates small bubbles from underneath the hull to confuse sonars.

Construction

Superstructure of a La Fayette blends into the hull with only a slight change in inclination
Cable deck of Surcouf, covered to reduce the radar signature; seamanship evolutions are completed through openings in the hull

The superstructure is made of light alloy and glass-reinforced plastic, which allow a reduction in top weight. This provides adequate but sub-optimal resistance to fire. Vital zones are armoured in Kevlar, and important systems are redundant. The crew is protected against biological, chemical and nuclear environments.

The ships were built with a modular inner structure from eleven prefabricated modules which were completed at the factory, delivered to the shipyard and assembled there. This technique results in a construction time of less than two years.

The hull has a pronounced angle at the stem, with a short forecastle that integrates directly into the superstructure. The ship's sides have a negative inclination of ten degrees. The single anchor is located exactly on the stem, into which it is completely recessed. The deck where the seamanship equipment and capstans are installed is internal in order to hide it from radar.

The superstructure is built in one piece and directly integrates into the hull, with only a change in inclination. A platform is located between the main gun and the bridge. The superstructure runs continuously down to the helicopter hangar, on top of which short-range anti-aircraft Crotale missiles were initially installed (being replaced on three ships in the early 2020s with the SADRAL/Mistral system).

The ships feature two masts. The main mast has a pyramidal structure which integrates funnels and supports the antenna of the Syracuse military communications satellite system, while the second supports the main radar.

Life extension upgrades

Three of the French Navy frigates (La Fayette, Courbet and Aconit) were selected to receive mid-life upgrades extending their useful service lives into the early 2030s. The three frigates are receiving KingKlip Mk2 hull-mounted sonar to incorporate an anti-submarine capability, modernized point air defence systems (consisting of two renovated SADRAL launchers, removed from the retired Georges Leygues class, and operating Mistral Mk3 SAMs/SSMs) as well as other improvements including the ability to carry the latest version of the Exocet anti-ship missile and CANTO anti-torpedo countermeasures (initially fitted first to La Fayette when she received her upgrade in 2021–22).[12][4] The upgrades increase the displacement of the ships by some 80 tonnes (79 long tons)[13] and will permit the three ships to operate through the 2020s and be retired between 2031 and 2034.[6][11][14] The first vessel, Courbet, began her conversion refit in October 2020.[15] She returned to sea in June 2021.[7] In October 2021, La Fayette began her planned refit[16] and in November 2022 was declared operational again upon its completion.[17][18] In February 2023 Aconit, the last of the frigates to be upgraded, began her life extension refit.[19] She was relaunched in July and was expected to be fully operational again in 2024.

As of February 2021, the other two vessels of the class (Surcouf and Guépratte) were scheduled to undergo more modest structural and technical upgrades (with the elderly Crotale SAM to be removed), and be withdrawn from service in 2027 and 2031 respectively.[11] With somewhat reduced general purpose capability, it is anticipated that the two ships will be re-assigned to offshore patrol duties for the remainder of their service life.[20]

From 2024 the La Fayette-class units will be incrementally complemented, and eventually replaced, in first rank functions in the French Navy by the FDI-class frigates.[9]

Ships

La Fayette class
Number Ship Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
F 710 La Fayette DCN Lorient 13 June 1992 22 March 1996 In active service
F 711 Surcouf 3 July 1993 7 February 1997 In active service
F 712 Courbet 12 March 1994 1 April 1997 In active service
F 713 Aconit 8 June 1997 3 June 1999 In active service
F 714 Guépratte 3 March 1999 27 October 2001 In active service

Export

Al Riyadh class: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian ship Makkah (814)

The three Al Riyadh-class ships are an expanded anti-air version of the French La Fayette class, displacing about 4,700 tonnes (4,600 long tons) and extended to 133 m (436 ft 4 in) in length.[21]

The ships' combat systems are produced by Armaris (a DCN/Thales joint venture) and are armed with the Aster 15 missile. The Aster missiles use the DCN SYLVER launcher. As with the La Fayette class the primary offensive weapon is the anti-surface Exocet missile. The ships' main gun is the Oto Melara 76 mm/62 Super Rapid gun replacing the 100 mm TR automatic gun. There are also four 533 mm (21.0 in) aft torpedo tubes. The ship is armed with the DCNS F17 heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo.

The ships are capable of a maximum speed of 24.5 knots (45.4 km/h; 28.2 mph) with a maximum range of 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km; 8,100 mi).[21]

Al Riyadh class
Number Ship Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
812 Al Riyadh DCN Lorient 26 July 2002 In active service
814 Makkah 23 April 2004 In active service
816 Al Dammam 23 October 2004 In active service

Formidable class: Singapore

RSS Formidable
The frigates Aconit and RSS Intrepid side by side, illustrating the differences in their superstructures

The Republic of Singapore Navy's six Formidable-class frigates are of comparable size to the La Fayette class but differs from that class and the Saudi Al Riyadh class in the armament carried: in place of the Exocet is the Boeing Harpoon. The main gun is a stealth cupola equipped with an Oto Melara 76 mm gun replacing the 100 mm TR automatic gun. The Formidable class also uses the SYLVER launcher/Aster missile combination.

The first ship, RSS Formidable, was built by DCN, while the remaining ships were constructed by Singapore Technologies Marine.

Anti-submarine capability includes S-70B Seahawk helicopters.

Maximum speed is 27 kn (50 km/h; 31 mph), making it the fastest variant. The ships have a maximum range of 4,200 nmi (7,800 km; 4,800 mi).

Formidable class
Number Ship Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
68 Formidable DCNS 2002 7 January 2004 5 May 2007 In active service
69 Intrepid ST Engineering (Marine) 3 July 2004 5 February 2008 In active service
70 Steadfast 15 July 2005 5 February 2008 In active service
71 Tenacious 15 July 2005 5 February 2008 In active service
72 Stalwart 9 December 2005 16 January 2009 In active service
73 Supreme 9 May 2006 16 January 2009 In active service

Kang Ding class: ROC (Taiwan)

The Taiwanese frigate Wu Chang in 2013
Phalanx CIWS and Bofors 40 mm L70 gun aboard ROCN Di Hua

As the ROC (Taiwan)'s defensive stance is aimed towards the Taiwan Strait, the ROC Navy is constantly seeking to upgrade its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The US$1.75 billion agreement with France in the early 1990s was an example of this procurement strategy:[22] the six ships are configured for both ASW and surface attack. The Exocet was replaced by Taiwan-developed Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missile and the AAW weapon is the Sea Chaparral. The main gun is an Oto Melara 76 mm/62 mk 75 gun, similar to its Singaporean counterparts, the Formidable-class frigates. Some problems in the integration of Taiwanese and French systems had been reported. The frigate carries a single Sikorsky S-70C(M)-1/2 ASW helicopter.

The Sea Chaparral SAM system is considered inadequate for defense against aircraft and anti-ship missiles, so the ROC (Taiwan) Navy plans to upgrade its air-defense capabilities with the indigenous Sky Sword II in 2020.[23] The ESSM-class missiles will be quad-packed in a vertical launch system for future ROCN surface combatants,[24] but a less-risky alternative arrangement of above-deck, fixed oblique launchers is seen as more likely for upgrading these French-built frigates.

In 2021 it was reported that the Republic of China would upgrade the Kang Ding class. It was reported that the MIM-72 Chaparral surface-to-air missile defence system will be replaced by the indigenous Sky Sword II. It was also reported that the upgrade of the battle system will also be involved.[25]

The class's maximum speed is 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) with a maximum range of 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi).

The class's Mk 75 main guns have been upgraded and have an improved firing rate of 100 rounds a minute.[26]

Kang Ding class
Number Ship Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
1202 Kang Ding (康定) DCNS 1993 22 March 1994 24 May 1996 In active service
1203 Si Ning (西寧) 1994 5 November 1994 5 October 1996 In active service
1205 Kun Ming (昆明) 1994 13 May 1995 26 February 1997 In active service
1206 Di Hua (迪化) 1995 27 November 1995 14 August 1997 In active service
1207 Wu Chang (武昌) 1995 27 November 1995 16 December 1997 In active service
1208 Chen De (承德) 1995 2 August 1996 19 March 1998 In active service

Taiwan frigate scandal

The Taiwan frigate deal was a huge political scandal, both in Taiwan and France.[27] Eight people involved in the contract died in unusual and possibly suspicious circumstances.[28] Arms dealer Andrew Wang fled Taiwan to the UK after the body of presumptive whistleblower Captain Yin Ching-feng was found floating in the sea.[29] In 2001 Swiss authorities froze accounts held by Andrew Wang and his family in connection to the Taiwan frigate scandal.[30]

In 2003, the Taiwanese Navy sued Thomson-CSF (Thales) to recover alleged $590 million in kickbacks, paid to French and Taiwanese officials to grease the 1991 La Fayette deal.[31] The kickback money was deposited in Swiss banks, and under the corruption investigation, Swiss authorities froze approx. $730 million in over 60 accounts. In June 2007 the Swiss authority returned $34 million from frozen accounts to Taiwan, with additional funds pending.[32]

Andrew Wang died in the UK in 2015 and collection efforts continued against his family.[29] In February 2021, the Federal Department of Justice and Police said that Switzerland will restitute nearly US$266 million to Taiwan.[33]

  • The La Fayette class is featured in the 2014 video game Wargame: Red Dragon in which it is available to the "BLUFOR" side along with various U.S., Korean, and Japanese warships.[34]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "La Fayette Class Frigate". Naval Technology. 3 May 2001.
  2. ↑ Vavasseur, Xavier (3 February 2023). "French Mission Jeanne D'Arc 2023 To Sail Across Indo-Pacific". Naval News.
  3. ↑ "First Upgraded la Fayette-class Frigate back into the French Fleet". 18 October 2021.
  4. 1 2 Manaranche, Martin (31 July 2021). "Video: French Navy's La Fayette-Class Frigate Mid-Life Update". Naval News. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  5. ↑ Vavasseur, Xavier (18 July 2019). "Naval Group Ready To Produce CANTO Anti-Torpedo System In Australia". Naval News. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  6. 1 2 Smaldore, Yannick (23 October 2020). "Euronaval: Naval Group Starts Upgrade Work On La Fayette-Class Frigates". navalnews.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  7. 1 2 Groizeleau, Vincent (15 April 2021). "Première FLF rénovée, la frégate Courbet remise à l'eau". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  8. ↑ Groizeleau, Vincent (15 May 2023). "La frégate Surcouf anonymisée et équipée de systèmes Simbad". Mer et Marine.
  9. 1 2 "France accelerates the FDI frigates program". navyrecognition.com. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  10. ↑ "Update to French Military Planning Law Means New Capabilities for Lafayette Class Frigates". navyrecognition.com. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 Groizeleau, Vincent (1 February 2021). "Marine nationale : les programmes qui vont façonner la future flotte française". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  12. ↑ Vavasseur, Xavier (17 October 2022). "Here Is Naval Group's New Torpedo Decoy Launcher". Naval News. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  13. ↑ Groizeleau, Vincent (28 November 2022). "La frégate La Fayette de nouveau opérationnelle après sa rénovation". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  14. ↑ Vavasseur, Xavier (5 September 2019). "French Navy Names 3 La Fayette-Class Frigates Selected For Mid-Life Update". Naval News. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  15. ↑ "Naval Group starts renovation and upgrade of French Navy Courbet La Fayette-class frigate". navyrecognition.com. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  16. ↑ Vavasseur, Xavier (18 October 2021). "First Upgraded la Fayette-class Frigate back into the French Fleet". Naval News. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  17. ↑ "Toulon : Mise en service opérationnel de la frégate La Fayette rénovée". Presse Agence (in French). 24 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  18. ↑ Groizeleau, Vincent (19 May 2022). "Rénovée, la frégate la Fayette reprend la mer". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  19. ↑ Groizeleau, Vincent (10 February 2023). "Naval Group débute la rénovation de la frégate Aconit". Mer et Marine. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  20. ↑ Groizeleau, Vincent (21 October 2021). "Rénovation des la Fayette : La première frégate livrée, la seconde en chantier". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  21. 1 2 "Al Riyadh (F3000S Sawari II) Class, Saudi Arabia". naval-technology.com. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "France authorizes frigate sale to Taiwan". Defense Daily. 2 October 1991. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  23. ↑ "La Fayette frigates' missile upgrade set for 2017". Focus Taiwan. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  24. ↑ Lundquist, Edward H. "Interview with Adm. Richard Chen, Republic of China Navy (Ret.)". Defense Media Network. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  25. ↑ Hsu, Tso-Juei (22 February 2021). "Taiwan To Upgrade Its La Fayette Frigates With New Air Defense & Combat Systems". navalnews.com. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  26. ↑ Chen, Kelvin (27 May 2021). "Taiwan Navy showcases upgraded cannons in live-fire drills". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  27. ↑ Trueheart, Charles (13 March 1998). "France Embroiled in Scandal du Jour". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  28. ↑ Schofield, Hugh (1 December 2003). "Book delves into frigate scandal". BBC News. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  29. 1 2 Pan, Jason (15 July 2021). "High Court orders return of illegal proceeds". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  30. ↑ Kirby, Emma-Jane (2 July 2001). "Swiss target Taiwan arms dealer". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  31. ↑ "Navy sues French frigate contractor". Taipei Times. 7 November 2003. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  32. ↑ "Lafayette scandal funds returned to Taiwan". Taipei Times. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  33. ↑ "Progress made on return of illegal kickbacks in Lafayette Frigate case". Taiwan News. Central News Agency. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  34. ↑ JCDent (13 December 2013). "Wargame Gets DLC, Announces a Ship". PixelJudge. Retrieved 20 January 2017.

Bibliography

  • Jordan, John; Moulin, Jean (2021). "The 'Stealth' Frigates of the La Fayette Class". In Jordan, John (ed.). Warship 2021. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. pp. 81–98. ISBN 978-1-4728-4779-9.
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