French Aquitaine Frigate

Aquitaine Frigate

The Aquitaine (D650) is the lead ship of the Aquitaine-class frigates, developed under the Franco-Italian FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission) program. This program aimed to produce versatile warships for various European navies. The Aquitaine was laid down in 2007, launched in 2010, and commissioned into the French Navy in 2012.

Features Aquitaine frigate

• Type: Multi-purpose frigate with a focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW)

• Builder: DCNS (now Naval Group), Lorient, France

• Homeport: Brest, France

• Displacement: Approximately 6,000 tons

• Length: 142 meters

• Propulsion: Combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) system

• Speed: Over 27 knots

• Crew: Approximately 145 personnel

 Wepone and Capabilities

• Missiles: Equipped with MBDA Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles and 16-cell SYLVER A70 vertical launch systems for MBDA MdCN land-attack cruise missiles.

• Guns: Fitted with an OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid gun, which has been used effectively against aerial threats.

• Torpedoes: Armed with Eurotorp MU90 Impact torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare.

• Aircraft: Can operate an NH90 helicopter, enhancing its ASW and surveillance capabilities.

 Operational History

• 2016: Completed its first operational deployment, participating in Operation Arromanches 2 in the Persian Gulf, providing protection for the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle during operations against the Islamic State.

• 2018: Participated in Operation Hamilton, the French component of the joint strikes against Syria, although it did not launch its MdCN missiles during the operation.

• 2025: Engaged and destroyed an incoming Houthi drone in the Red Sea using its 76 mm gun, demonstrating its defensive capabilities in real-world scenarios.

Here's a full description of the French frigate Aquitaine (D650):

French Frigate Aquitaine (D650)

Overview

The Aquitaine is the lead ship of the Aquitaine-class frigates, part of the FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission) program—a joint venture between France and Italy aimed at developing a new generation of multi-role frigates. Built by the French defense contractor DCNS (now Naval Group), the Aquitaine represents the cutting edge in naval warfare technology.

• Commissioned: November 23, 2012

• Homeport: Brest, France

• Role: Multi-purpose frigate with a primary focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW)

Aquitaine Frigate

 Specifications 

Feature	Specification
Displacement	~6,000 tonnes (full load)
Length	142 meters (466 feet)
Beam	20 meters (66 feet)
Draught	5 meters (16 feet)
Speed	Over 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Range	~6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots
Crew	~145 (plus room for 25 extra personnel)
Endurance	45 days autonomy

Propulsion System (CODLOG)

The Aquitaine uses a Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas (CODLOG) propulsion system:

• 1 × General Electric LM2500+G4 gas turbine

• 4 × diesel alternators powering electric motors

• 1 × electric drive shaft

This setup allows for quiet electric cruising (useful in ASW) and fast gas-turbine-powered sprints.

Stealth and Design

• Designed with stealth features to reduce radar cross-section.

• The mast and superstructure are shaped to minimize detectability.

• Uses composite materials and radar-absorbent coatings.

• Integrated sensor and mast systems for lower visibility.

Wepone Systems

Missiles:

• MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval): Land-attack cruise missiles (in SYLVER A70 VLS)

• Aster 15: Medium-range surface-to-air missiles (in SYLVER A50 VLS)

• Exocet MM40 Block 3: Anti-ship missiles

Guns:

• 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid gun

• 2 × 20 mm Narwhal remotely operated guns

Torpedoes:

• MU90 Impact lightweight torpedoes (anti-submarine)

Countermeasures:

• Thales Nemesis and Sylena decoy systems

• Electronic warfare suite: Thales electronic support measures and jammers

Sensors and Combat Systems

• Radar: Thales Herakles multifunction radar (3D surveillance and fire control)

• Sonar:

  • Hull-mounted sonar

  • Towed variable depth sonar (Thales CAPTAS-4)

• Combat Management System: SETIS (developed by DCNS/Naval Group)

• Navigation: Inertial navigation system, satellite systems, radar

Aviation Facilities

• Flight Deck and Hangar for:

  • 1 × NH90 Caiman Marine or AS565 Panther helicopter

• Capable of deploying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones for ISR missions

French Aquitaine Frigate

  Operational History Highlights

• 2016: Participated in Operation Arromanches 2, escorting the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Middle East.

• 2018: Took part in Operation Hamilton, a joint strike on Syria (did not launch its missiles).

• 2021–2023: Multiple deployments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Red Sea, and West Africa for counter-terrorism and maritime security.

• 2025: Shot down a Houthi drone using its 76 mm naval gun in the Red Sea during a real combat scenario—demonstrating close-range defensive capability.

Strategic Importance

The Aquitaine plays a vital role in France’s naval strategy:

• Provides ASW protection for high-value units like aircraft carriers and submarines.

• Capable of land-attack, air defense, and anti-ship operations.

• Designed for interoperability with NATO and EU naval forces.

The Aquitaine serves as a testament to modern naval engineering, combining stealth, versatility, and advanced weaponry to fulfill a range of missions from anti-submarine warfare to land-attack operations.