French Navy’s Final ASW FREMM Frigate ‘Normandie’ Enters Active Service

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) multi-mission frigate (FREMM) “Normandie” entered “active duty” (admission au service actif in French) on June 3, 2020. It is the sixth and final Aquitaine-class frigate in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant.

The long duration deployment of the Normandie multi-mission frigate from 12/17/2019 to 03/27/2020 consisted in the validation of the following elements under the supervision of the Standing Committee on Programs and Tests (CPPE): (ASTER 30 – NATO link 22 – new generation IFF interrogator / responder – Cyber surveillance system). But also its aptitude for NATO interoperability during the exercises: “C2X” within a US carrier strike group off the United States, “Dynamic Guard” off Norway and its integration with the French Navy CSG.

This means the vessel is now able to conduct operational missions.

Normandie‘s keel was laid in 2014. The frigate was launched on February 1st 2018. She started sea trials one year later and was delivered in July 2019.


Earlier this year Normandie deployed on a long cruise, a long duration deployment to test all of the ship’ systems ahead of its formal admission into active service. During this long cruise to Canada and the United States, she conducted some Link 22 tests, a first for the French Navy.

Two more FREMM frigates with enhanced anti-air warfare capabilities (known as FREMM DA) will follow the first six ones configured for anti-submarine warfare (FREMM ASW). But the last two FREMM ASW, Bretagne and Normandie are fitted with 16 cells of SYLVER A50 vertical launch system allowing them to deploy longer range surface to air missiles (ASTER 30 by MBDA).

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