Type 31, FDI, Gorshkov: What are the frigates worth today?

The frigate represents, today, the surface combat ship of excellence for first-rate navies, combining the versatility of their sensors with advanced weapon systems to ensure a wide range of missions, from escort to control of maritime spaces, and sometimes even denial of access and strikes towards land.

In this article, we will study some of the main classes of modern medium-tonnage frigates, set to become the backbone of many navies around the world, in order to compare them, but also to refine the perception of the technological and technological balance of power. military in the naval field.

China: Type 054A Jiangkai II class frigates

With 30 units in service for the People's Liberation Army Navy alone, the first class of frigate presented is the most prolific frigate since the famous American OH Perry class. Entering service in 2008, the Type 054A, or Jiangkai II class, is 134 meters long and weighs barely 4000 tonnes loaded.

However, this frigate specialized in anti-submarine warfare is remarkably well equipped, with 32 vertical cells for medium-range HQ-16 anti-aircraft missiles (max 50 km, Buk family) and Y-8 missiles, local version of the American anti-submarine SUBROC.

Added to this are 8 subsonic C-803 anti-ship missiles with a grazing trajectory with a range of 180 km, 2 triple 324 mm torpedo launchers, 2 CIWS Type-730 30 mm close-in anti-aircraft systems, and a 26 mm PJ76 main gun.

Each frigate also has a PESA Type 382 radar with a power of 100 kW capable of detecting a fighter at high altitude at a distance of 250 km, as well as an MGK-385 hull sonar and a H/SJG-206 towed sonar, giving it anti-submarine detection capabilities both in coastal areas and on the high seas.

The combat system of the ZKJ-4B/6 ship is derived from the TAVITAC system of Thomson-CSF, now Thales, as part of technology transfers in the 2000s when the two countries maintained very close relations.

Although light, the Type 054A are in fact well armed and equipped, and able to carry out anti-submarine escort missions, one of the privileged missions of frigates in the world. With an export price of less than $ 400 million, it is also very economical, and has already been chosen by Pakistan (4 units) and Thailand (3 units). A more modern version, the Type 054B, should soon see the light of day.

This frigate should benefit from the latest Chinese technological advances, including a flat-faced AESA radar, a locally-made combat system, new weapons andan electric propulsion system. It should also be longer and more imposing, but in a limited way, the Chinese nomenclature being strict on its requirements in terms of tonnage.

France: FDI program, Belh@rra and Admiral Ronarc'h class

122 m long for 4 tonnes loaded, the Defense and Intervention Frigate, or IDF, designated Belharra for export, is today the flagship of the French military naval industry. Ordered in five units by the French Navy, it will complete the surface fleet made up of FREMMs of the Aquitaine and Alsace classes, and FDA Horizons of the Forbin class.

Although almost 25% lighter than a FREMM, the FDI retains a large part of its capacities, especially in its export version as offered to the Greek Navy, with 3 Sylver 50 for 24 octuple vertical launcher systems Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles with a range of over 100 km, and a Sylver 70 system for 8 MdCN cruise missiles covering more than 1500 km.

In addition, the frigate has the brand new flat-faced AESA radar Sea Fire 500 from Thales, offering very extensive capabilities to detect aerial targets, but also surface or ballistic targets.

Alongside the traditional (for French ships) 2×4 MM40 Block 3C Exocet anti-ship missiles and the 76 mm cannon, the Belharra also has remarkable anti-submarine capabilities, a specialty of the French naval industry, with a Kingklip hull sonar and a Captas-4 towed sonar, supplemented by its NH90 CAÏMAN Marine helicopter and its Flash tempered sonar.

Both Caiman and Belharra have light Mu90 torpedoes to attack the submersible once located. In addition, the ship has a high degree of automation and data digitalization, making it appear like a “digital” frigate according to Naval Group, its designer.

However, the FDI is not without its weaknesses. Firstly, its price remains high, at €750m per unit in the 4 SYLVER export version, excluding ammunition. Above all, it is handicapped by the limitations of the French VLS Sylver system which, unlike the American Mk41 or the Russian UKSK, does not allow different types of missile to be embarked depending on the mission.

Thus, the SYLVER 70 can only use MdCN cruise missiles, the Sylver 43 can only use Aster 15 anti-aircraft missiles, the Sylver 50 being the only exception by being able to receive Aster 15 or 30.

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