Egypt would be interested in purchasing a FREMM multi-mission frigate from France.

La Tribune is reporting that France could sell Aquitaine class Frigate Normandie which is set to be delivered to the French Navy by year end.

This would come as a surprise however because Normandie, the 2nd ship of the class, is fitted with 16x Sylver A70 vertical launch systems, wiring and all the necessary equipment (including mission computers) to launch MBDA's Naval Cruise Missiles (NCN). NCM are subject to very strict export regulations and the sole FREMM exported by DCNS to date, the Royal Moroccan Navy Mohammed VI is fitted with only 16x Sylver A50 vertical launch systems for the surface to air missiles. It is missing the 16x A70 launchers for the cruise missiles.

Navy Recognition believes a FREMM fitted with A70 launchers and NCM systems would not get the green light to be exported to Egypt. Normandie could still be modified and see all her NCM related equipment removed but an easier solution would be to deliver Languedoc (the third FREMM for the French Navy, Fourth in the series) which started sea trials last month and which may not have all the equipment installed yet. Better yet: If the rumor proves to be verified in the future, it would make more sense to deliver the next hull in the series (expected to be named Auvergne) which is still under construction at the Lorient shipyard. It is unclear whether this hull could be ready as early as next year however.

Contacted by Navy Recognition, DCNS didn't wish to comment on the rumor.

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