On Monday, 4th February 2013, first of class Aquitaine, the newest class of frigate in the French Navy’s fleet, has successfully fired its first MBDA Aster 15 air defence missile in the Mediterranean from the DGA (French Procurement Agency) Missile test centre. The FREMM is the third type of ship of the French Navy equipped with Aster missiles after the Charles de Gaulle nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier (CVN) and the Forbin class air defense Destroyers (DDG).
On 23 November, European Joint Armament Cooperation Organisation OCCAR* formally signed acceptance documents on behalf of French defence procurement agency DGA following the delivery of FREMM frigate Aquitaine in compliance with all contractual requirements.
Aquitaine is the first FREMM multimission frigate for the French Navy.
Francia ha botado la fragata Aquitaine la primera fragata de nueva generación multi-misión (FREMM) en los astilleros de Lorient. La Aquitaine, es la primera unidad de un programa europeo de construcción de fragatas multi-misión, mide 142 metros de eslora y desplaza 6.000 toneladas. Llevará un helicóptero NH90 y equipamiento sofisticado. (leer mas) __________________________________________________________________
France launched Aquitaine, the first multi-mission frigate (FREMM) of the new generation made by Europeans on Tuesday in Lorient, a port in western France, where President Nicolas Sarkozy attended the opening ceremony. As the vessel was purchased by the French Navy, Defense Minister Herve Morin took part in the ceremony accompanying the president as well as the Industry Minister Christian Estrosi, according to a statement released by the Elysee Palace. Aquitaine, the first product of a European program of building multi-mission frigates, is 142 meters long and of 6,000 tonnages. It will carry an NH90 helicopter and an anti-submarine besides other sophisticated weaponry. (read more)
