The Navy, if all goes well, will receive the first two “Kimon” class frigates within 2025. Until 2028, these frigates will have the “French” configuration, before coming to the Greek one, with the placement of 16 additional Aster 30 missiles and a RAM launcher. The third ship of the class is expected in 2026, which will be at the final level from the start.
A few days ago, we read an idea on navalanalyses.com. So there, it was proposed an FDI Light, where the FDI hull will be used, but with the electronics and weapons carried by a Gowind HN corvette. That is, in place of the SeaFire radar we would have a Thales NS100/110, and in place of the Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles we could have either MICA NG or CAMM-ER. And in place of the RAM launcher, a 40mm anti-aircraft gun would go in, while the trailing sonar would be a CAPTAS-2. All this with the perspective of lower costs, per unit, but maintaining the uniformity, in terms of mechanical parts (same boat) and in many electronics, with the “normal” FDI.
The idea is interesting, and could be a solution. Perhaps if the Naval Group promoted such a configuration, the Navy could with this alternative have ordered 3 of these FDI Light.
However, those who had watched the famous “frigate”, will remember that the Dutch had an excellent proposal for a frigate, the Sigma 11515, but it had a long “maturing” time, about 36 months, before the construction of the first ship began. In contrast, a proposed “intermediate solution”, with production Sigma 10514 corvettes, could be built within 24 months. The reason was simple, the construction plans of S10514 were ready, while S11515 needed 3 years to complete!
Accordingly, any significantly different FDI will need time to mature, but more importantly, development money. As it is different to propose a new armament-equipment “design” than to implement it in practice, to test and certify it, so that the construction is definitely functional. So why would the Naval Group invest in an FDI Light when they have a corvette, and a good one at that, the Gowind? Obviously, such changes can be made, but we repeat that they require time and money. So we will propose something similar, but much more accessible to implement.
Where the Navy could stick to the FDI design, but not a “Kimo” configuration, but the basic French, FDI FR! But with some changes that are much easier to make with minimal redesign, without radical conversions. First the addition of the Strales system to the 76mm main gun to increase the ship’s anti-aircraft capability (Strales allows the use of guided munitions to intercept attacks). A camera detection-targeting system (IRST) could also be included, and of course an electronic warfare system (ECM), although here, despite what is being peddled, there is still no solution for FDI.
If we want to lower the cost even more, the towed sonar could be the CAPTAS-2 instead of the CAPTAS-4, especially since this change is made without a special technological requirement since both are compatible, but with different performances (which in CAPTAS-2 remain significant).
Of course, we would like such a batch of cheaper FDI to be built entirely in Greece. In our recent visit to the Salamina Shipyards, we saw how building blocks are being manufactured for the Greek and French FDI in excellent quality and speed. So we estimate that the same shipyard can build all the blocks of the ship and a larger one can “assemble” them by adding the equipment (either the Elefsina Shipyards of ONEX, or the Skaramanga Shipyards). An exception here is the complex and advanced PSIM, i.e. the ship’s main mast with the SeaFire radar, other electronics and combat compartment, which is a special aluminum block in itself. This we assume will continue to be manufactured in France and come to Greece for final installation. Something similar happened with the Egyptian Gowinds.
Salamina Shipyards: Greek metal for “Formion” and for French FDI – photo & video
In this way, the Naval Group could enter a “wedge”, offering a solution for our fleet, competing with Fincantieri Marinette Marine and the Constellation frigate proposal. And the cost of this “French” FDI would be much clearer, without fear of “surprises”, while if there was also mass production (if we are talking about 7 boats over time), it would also offer some reduction in the final price due to economy scale. While there would be another saving as the Navy would maintain one support line for all FDI (“Kim” and “French”), instead of maintaining lines for 3 types of large vessels.
Of course, the end result would be an FDI that in the anti-aircraft fight would have only 16 Aster 30s and a Strales cannon, i.e. dramatically inferior to the corresponding capabilities of an FFG-62. However, this could be “cured” in the long run with the gradual development of some “French” in Greek configuration, with more Aster 30 or even with RAM or a laser weapon. And we insist on the Aster 30, because it may have many times the price of a MICA NG, but their effectiveness does not compare, while we must not forget the long-term cost of re-certification and maintenance of two types of missiles instead of one.
But let’s say here again our reflection on the future of FDI for the French Navy, where…
Continuity in Naval Defence
