From Suffren to Horizon: The Evolution of French Naval Might

The French Navy has a storied history of maritime defense, and its journey from the Suffren-class frigates to the Horizon-class air defense ships is a testament to its commitment to innovation and excellence in naval warfare.

The Suffren-Class Frigates

The Suffren-class frigates, named after the 18th-century French admiral Pierre André de Suffren, represented a significant advancement in naval technology. These ships were the first French vessels constructed explicitly as guided missile frigates, marking a pivotal shift in naval warfare tactics.

Background and Development:

• Ordered in 1960, the Suffren-class was part of France’s new naval policy post-World War II, reflecting a strategy of deterrence/intervention/defense following the election of Charles de Gaulle as president.
• The class was intended to be more numerous, but budget pressures from the French nuclear weapons program limited their number to just two ships.

Design and Capabilities:

• Displacement: Increased from an initial 5,090 tonnes to 5,335 tonnes (standard) and from 6,090 tonnes to 6,780 tonnes (full load) by 1990.
• Propulsion: Powered by four multi-tube, automatic control boilers capable of 45 kg/cm² at 450 °C, creating steam for two sets of Rateau double-reduction geared turbines turning two propellers.
• Armament: Equipped with 48 Masurca surface-to-air missiles, 4 MM38 Exocet anti-ship missiles, and 10 L5 anti-submarine torpedoes, among other weaponry.

Operational History:

• The lead ship, Suffren, entered service in 1967, followed by the second ship, Duquesne, in 1970.
• They were designed as anti-air and anti-submarine escorts for the Clemenceau-class aircraft carriers and were similar in concept to the British Type 82 destroyer.
• The ships were later re-designated as frégates lance-missiles (FLM 60) and remained in service until the 2000s, when they were replaced by the Horizon-class.

These frigates played a crucial role in the modernization of the French Navy and set the stage for the development of future classes of French naval vessels.

The Horizon-Class Air Defense Ships

The Horizon-class air defense destroyers are a formidable addition to the French and Italian navies, representing the cutting edge of naval warfare technology. Born from the Common New Generation Frigate program, these ships were initially part of a collaborative effort between France, the UK, and Italy, which aimed to produce a new class of air defense ships.

Development and Specifications:

• Builders: Constructed by Horizon Sas, a joint venture between DCNS (now Naval Group), Thales, Fincantieri, and Finmeccanica (now Leonardo since 2016).
• Cost: The cost per unit for France was €1.08 billion (FY 2013), and for Italy, it was €1.5 billion (FY 2016).
• Displacement: 7,050 tons at full load.
• Length: 152.87 meters overall length.
• Beam: 20.3 meters.
• Draught: 5.4 meters depth.
• Propulsion: Combined diesel or gas (CODOG) scheme, featuring two GE/Avio LM2500 Plus TAGs and two diesel engines.
• Speed: In excess of 29 knots.
• Range: 6,100 nautical miles at 18 knots.
• Complement: Italian ships have a crew of 255 in various cabin configurations.

Armament and Systems:

• Anti-air missiles: Equipped with the PAAMS air-defense system and a 48-cell A50 Sylver Vertical Launching System for a mix of up to 48 Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles.
• Anti-ship missiles: 8 Exocet MM40 Block 3 for France and 8 TESEO Mk-2/A for Italy.
• Guns & CIWS: The French ships are armed with 2 OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid guns, while the Italian ships have 3, with the addition of the Davide/Strales system.
• Electronic Warfare: Features the Elettronica Spa 4100 Nettuno SIGEN EW and 2 OTO Melara ODLS-H decoy launching systems.

The Horizon-class destroyers are designed for a range of missions, including high-intensity operations, all with reduced crewing. They continue to serve as the backbone of the French and Italian navies’ air defense capabilities, ensuring maritime security and operational readiness for the future.

Development Challenges

The Horizon-class project, initially a symbol of European naval cooperation, faced significant hurdles that tested the resolve and adaptability of its member nations. The Common New Generation Frigate program, as it was known, was ambitious in its scope but quickly encountered obstacles that underscored the complexity of multinational defense collaborations.

Divergent National Requirements: Each country had its own vision for the frigates, reflecting different strategic priorities and operational doctrines. The UK, for instance, prioritized area air defense capabilities to protect carrier strike groups, while France and Italy were more focused on general-purpose frigates with robust self-defense capabilities.

Industrial and Political Delays: Disagreements over workshare, industrial benefits, and the technological aspects of the ships led to delays. Political changes and budgetary constraints further complicated the project’s progress. These factors contributed to the UK’s decision to withdraw from the program in 1999, opting instead to develop the Type 45 destroyer, which better suited their specific national needs.

Continued Collaboration Between France and Italy: Despite the UK’s departure, France and Italy remained committed to the project, leading to the eventual realization of the Horizon-class. This perseverance demonstrated the countries’ dedication to strengthening their naval forces and maintaining a strong presence in the Mediterranean and beyond.

Modernization Efforts

In a significant move to bolster their naval capabilities, France and Italy have embarked on an ambitious program to modernize the Horizon-class frigates. This initiative is not just an upgrade but a comprehensive overhaul that will ensure these vessels remain at the forefront of naval defense technology well into the future.

Key Aspects of the Modernization:

• Contract Signing: On July 18, 2023, a ceremony marked the signing of the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) Contract for the French and Italian Horizon-class Air Defence Frigates.
• Collaborative Effort: The contract, valued at approximately €1.5 billion, was signed by the OCCAR Director on behalf of the French and Italian procurement agencies DGA and SEGREDIFESA/NAVARM, with Co-Contractors from Eurosam and NAVIRIS.

Scope of the Upgrade:

• The upgrade covers the full enhancement of the four Horizon Class vessels: “Andrea Doria”, “Caio Duilio”, “Forbin”, and “Chevalier Paul”.
• The refurbished ships are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2027 for the first Italian vessel, mid-2029 for the second Italian, end of 2029 for the first French, and end of 2030 for the second French.

Enhancements and Capabilities:

• Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) and Electronic Warfare (EW): The major changes will be in the AAW and EW domains, optimizing the initial In-Service Support (ISS) for common activities and maximizing the benefits of cooperative procurement practices.
• Weapon Systems: New weapon systems, associated Command and Control, and electronic warfare suites will be installed to provide the highest capabilities and performances against the most modern threats.
• Missile Defense: The new generation of PAAMS & LRR is a very significant upgrade, enabling the system to defeat various threats, including hypersonic, ballistic, supersonic sea-skimmer, high-velocity cruise missiles, UAVs, and highly maneuvering aircrafts, in a saturation attack scenario.
• Radar and Software: Two new AESA radars (Kronos Grand Naval from Leonardo and SMART-L MM/N from Thales) and a new open software architecture command and control system will be integrated.

Industrial Cooperation:

This modernization represents a significant achievement in strengthening the cooperation between France and Italy in the naval domain. It showcases the trust placed by the nations in OCCAR’s management capabilities to successfully manage an ambitious new armament cooperation project.

Conclusion

The transition from the Suffren-class to the Horizon-class reflects the French Navy’s ongoing pursuit of excellence. These modernization efforts ensure that the French Navy remains a formidable force, capable of protecting its interests and maintaining stability in international waters.