The last two representatives of the FREMM class, the frigates Bretagne and Normandie, will receive SYLVER50 vertical launch silos (5 meters high) in place of the SYLVER43 (4 m high) of the previous examples, allowing the 30 French vessels to receive Aster30 missiles instead of Aster15 missiles.
The Aster30 is an extended version of the Aster15, which gives it a range of 120 km compared to 30 for the Aster 15, a ceiling of 20 km compared to 13 for the Aster15, and a speed of mach4,5, compared to mach3 for the aster15.
This common sense decision was taken with a view to making up for the obsolescence of the Cassard and Jean Barre frigates equipped with the SM1MR system dating from the 70s. However, according to other sources, these two frigates will be loaned to Greece entry into service of the last 2 FREMM (2019) in order to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the Greek Navy in the face of Turkish provocations, while awaiting the delivery of the 2 FTIs that Athens is preparing to order.
By proceeding in this way, the French Navy would have 4 frigates with long-range anti-aircraft missiles, in accordance with its operational contract, pending the entry into service of the FREMM with Reinforced Air Capacity Alsace and Lorraine, in 2021 and 2022.
Unlike the FREMM, the FREMM DA will not have MdCN cruise missiles, but 32 anti-aircraft missiles, probably 16 Aster 30 and 16 Aster15, unless the decision is taken to only equip them with Aster30, a a decision far from absurd given the small difference in cost between the two missiles. In addition, it has a Herakles radar optimized for the use of the Aster30 at their maximum range, unlike the FREMM 5 and 6, which retains the standard Herakles radar.
Ultimately, with 11 frigates equipped with Aster30 missiles (2 Horizons, 2 FREMM, 2 FREMM DA and 5 FTI), and capable of cooperative engagements, the French Navy will considerably increase its anti-aircraft, and probably anti-aircraft, firepower. ballistic missiles upon entry into service of the ASTER30 Block1NT. Furthermore, it seems reasonable to think that the first 4 FREMMs will also be equipped with Aster30 during their lifetime refurbishment, as well as a radar with extended performances, giving the 15 frigates 1errank of the navy very satisfactory long-distance anti-aircraft performance.