France has officially passed Order from German engine manufacturer MTU, to supply the engines that will equip the 5 FTI intermediate size frigates of the French Navy. Each frigate will be propelled by 4 sixteen-cylinder diesel engines developing 8000 kWh each, and propelling the 4500 tonnes of the frigate at 27 knots, or 7000 nautical miles at 15 knots.
While the latest French frigates FREMM and Horizon are powered by engine units supplied by the American General Electric, the choice of the German MTU owned by the British group Rolls Royce for the FTI is not insignificant. We can note that for several years, France has tried, as much as possible, to always favor a European solution for defense imports, even if it sometimes means doing so to the detriment of French companies. Thus, Paris has shown its interest in the Volcano class logistics ships designed by the Italian Fincantieri, instead of financing the studies of the BRAVE supply tanker from Naval Group.
However, this choice was made in agreement with the Naval General Staff and Naval Group, given that supply tankers are not considered strategic know-how for the industrialist, that the construction will be carried out at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, and that off-the-shelf purchase allows the French Navy to save costs and study times.
Concerning the FTI, the choice of MTU also marks a long-term strategic partnership with the engine manufacturer, since the FTI will be the Naval group's export workhorse in the years to come. The frigate has already been offered to Greece. In addition, the FTI will probably serve as a basis for the classes of second-rate frigates which will equip the French Navy to replace the LaFayette-class FLF and the Floreal-class Surveillance Frigates, which will have to be replaced during the 2026-2032 LPM, i.e. at at least ten additional ships.