French Navy to convert two La Fayette Frigates into patrol vessels.

According to information published by Opex360 on October 16, 2024, the French Navy has announced plans to convert two La Fayette-class frigates into high-seas patrol vessels, addressing an operational gap as older ships are phased out.
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French Navy's La Fayette-class frigate Guépratte. (Picture source: French MoD)

Currently, the Navy operates below its targeted number of frontline vessels, with only eight FREMM frigates (including two with enhanced air defense capabilities), two air defense frigates, and three upgraded La Fayette-class frigates. Full capacity will only be reached once five new Defense and Intervention Frigates (FDIs) are delivered.

Budget constraints limited the modernization of the entire La Fayette fleet. While the Navy initially planned to upgrade all five vessels with advanced systems like the Kingklip Mk2 sonar, only three were ultimately renovated.

The fate of the two non-upgraded frigates, Surcouf and Guépratte, was uncertain, with discussions about selling them at one point. However, the Navy decided to retain them for use as high-seas patrol ships due to delays in the BATSIMAR program, which aims to replace the aging d’Estienne d’Orves-class patrol boats. These vessels, initially meant to be decommissioned decades ago, have been in service well beyond their intended lifespan.

La Fayette class frigates

Developed by DCN (now Naval Group) in the late 1980s and early 1990s, these frigates are recognized for their stealth features and multi-role capabilities. With a displacement of 3,600 tons, these ships are designed for various missions, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, and limited combat operations. Their stealth design, characterized by sloped sides and radar-absorbent materials, was groundbreaking at the time, reducing their radar cross-section and enhancing their survivability in contested environments.

Five ships were constructed for the French Navy, with the first, La Fayette, commissioned in 1996 and the last, Guepratte, entering service in 2001. The ships have been widely exported and adapted, with versions built for Taiwan, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia. Each of these navies has incorporated specific modifications to suit their needs, such as anti-submarine or air defense enhancements.

In response to evolving threats and obsolescence, the French Navy initiated a mid-life modernization program in the 2020s, targeting three of its La Fayette-class frigates: Courbet, La Fayette, and Aconit. The upgrades focused on enhancing their anti-submarine warfare capabilities through the integration of the Thales KingKlip Mk2 sonar system, the replacement of aging air-defense systems with the MBDA Sadral launchers, and the addition of new combat management systems.