On 19 May, the launching ceremony for the second Defense and Intervention Frigate ordered by the French Government defense procurement and technology agency (DGA) for the French Navy (Marine nationale) took place at Naval Group Lorient shipyard. This second French FDI frigate is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
The launching ceremony for the FDI, named Amiral Louzeau, was attended by Amiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of staff of the French Navy, representatives of French Government defense procurement and technology agency, and Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group.
In the coming days, Naval Group teams will carry out the installation of the Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM), an integrated mast providing state-of-the-art technological and operational performance. Building the PSIM in parallel with the hull helps secure testing activities and reduces production times by approximately five months.
The FDI’s first sea trials will begin in 2027, with delivery scheduled for the end of the year. Deliveries of the remaining three vessels in the series of five FDIs ordered for the French Navy will continue through to 2032.
At the same time, Naval Group is also building three additional FDIs for Greece, alongside the HS Kimon, delivered in December 2025. Two of these vessels will be delivered to the Hellenic Navy by the end of 2026.