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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
FRANCE
ESCORTS
LA FAYETTE frigates (1996 - 2001)
Photo
La Fayette 2002
Ships
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Fayette | F710 | DCN, Lorient | 15.12.1990 | 13.6.1992 | 22.3.1996 | in service (2019) | |
| Surcouf | F711 | DCN, Lorient | 6.7.1992 | 3.7.1993 | 7.2.1997 | in service (2019) | |
| Courbet | F712 | DCN, Lorient | 15.9.1993 | 12.3.1994 | 1.4.1997 | in service (2019) | |
| Aconit (ex-Jauréguiberry) | F713 | DCN, Lorient | 5.8.1996 | 8.7.1997 | 3.6.1999 | in service (2019) | |
| Guépratte | F714 | DCN, Lorient | 1.10.1998 | 3.3.1999 | 29.10.2001 | in service (2019) |
Technical data
| Displacement standard, t | 3200 |
|---|---|
| Displacement full, t | 3600 |
| Length, m | 115.0 pp 124.2 oa |
| Breadth, m | 15.4 deck 13.6 wl |
| Draught, m | 4.10 hull 4.80 max |
| No of shafts | 2 |
| Machinery | 4 SEMT-Pielstick 12PA6 V280STC diesels |
| Power, h. p. | 21000 |
| Max speed, kts | 25 |
| Fuel, t | diesel oil 350 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 7000(15) |
| Armament | 2 x 4 MM40 Exocet SSM (8 MM40), 1 x 8 Crotale CN2 SAM (24 Crotale VT-1), 1 x 1 - 100/55 Mod. 1968 CADAM, 2 x 1 - 20/90 MIT-20F2, 1 helicopter (AS.565MA Panther) |
| Military load | 25 commandos |
| Electronic equipment | F710-712: 2x DRBN-34, DRBV-15C, Castor-IIJ, CTM Crotale radars, TDS90 E/O director, ARBR-21, ARBB-33, ARBG-1A Saigon ECM suites, 2x AMBL-1C Dagaie decoy RL, SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo decoy, TAVITAC 2000 CCS F713, 714: 2x DRBN-34, DRBV-15C, Castor-IIJ, CTM Crotale radars, TDS90 E/O director, ARBR-21, ARBB-33, ARBG-2 Maigret ECM suites, 2x AMBL-1C Dagaie decoy RL, SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo decoy, TAVITAC 2000 CCS |
| Complement | 153 |
Standard scale images
La Fayette 2000
Graphics
Guépratte 2002 Many thanks to ChangZhi Wang for additional information on this page.
La Fayette 2002
Project history
Multi-purpose frigates designed to perform a variety of missions, which include crisis intervention and defence of the sea approaches of both Metropolian France and her overseas territories. They could also be integrated into an intervention task force based on an aircraft carrier and/or amphibious ships.
A modular approach has been adopted to their construction in order to give the necessary flexibility of weapon fit for possible future missions and to appeal to the export market. Each ship comprises about seventy modules, two of which are large propulsion modules housing the diesel engines. Many of the modules are prefabricated off-site and assembled on the building way at Lorient Naval Dockyard.
The other novel feature in the design is the emphasis on acoustic and electro-magnetic discretion. The diesel engines are mounted on suspended rafts in order to reduce noise emissions. The sides of the hull and the superstructures are inclined at about 10 degrees, and an inclined bulwark forward shields the single gun mounting. The superstructures and masts are coated with radar-absorbent paint, and there is a composite radar-absorbent cladding on the forecastle and quarterdeck. The superstructures are 'clean', the ship's boats being concealed behind doors amidships. Forward of the bridge, space has been reserved for the installation of two 8-missile SYLVER modules for Aster-5 missiles. Also the design permits installation of associated with SYLVER ARABEL radar and SLAT antitorpedo system.
Three ships were ordered in March 1988, and three more in September 1992, but the sixth ship, F715 Ronarcíh, was cancelled in May 1996.
Modernizations
2007, all: + 4 x 1 - 12.7/90
2010-2011, all: - 2 x 4 MM40 Exocet Block II SSM; + 2 x 4 MM40 Exocet Block III SSM(8), Vigiscan IR e/o detector
2013, all: + 2 x 6 - 7.6/92 M134
Naval service
No significant events.
