France receives second multi-role frigate

LORIENT, France, June 15 (UPI) -- The French Navy has received its second multi-mission FREMM frigate from shipbuilder DCNS.

The Provence, delivered in Brest, had been ordered on behalf of France by OCCAR, or the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, a European intergovernmental organization that facilitates and manages collaborative armament programs.

"The delivery of the FREMM Provence represents an opportunity to applaud the industrial and technological prowess of DCNS and its subcontractors," said Anne Bianchi, director of FREMM programs. "We are proud to deliver this second ship to the French Navy."

FREMM frigates for the French Navy are 466 feet long, have a speed of more than 27 knots and a range of 6,000 nautical miles. They are equipped with Herakles multifunction radar and are armed with Aster and Exocet MM 40 missiles and MU 90 torpedoes.

It is innovative and offers unequalled levels of interoperability and availability. This combat ship is capable of meeting the expectations of numerous navies.

DCNS delivered the first-in class FREMM, the Aquitaine, to the French Navy in 2012. The FREMM Mohammed VI, for the Royal Moroccan Navy, was delivered in 2014. The FREMM intended for the Egyptian Navy, formerly the FREMM Normandie, will be delivered in summer 2015.

Italy is also receiving FREMM frigates from an Italian shipbuilder.