Franco-Italian air defense destroyer (classified as frigate in French service) designed to provide fleet-level area air defense. Displacement of 7,050 tonnes with the EMPAR G-band multifunction radar and S1850M long-range surveillance radar providing simultaneous tracking of hundreds of air targets. Armed with 48 Aster 15/30 missiles in Sylver A43/A50 VLS, 8 Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles, two 76mm guns, and MU90 torpedoes. Crew of 174 with a NH90 helicopter. Two ships in French service: Forbin and Chevalier Paul, primarily tasked with carrier strike group air defense escorting Charles de Gaulle. Italy operates two similar Andrea Doria-class ships.
![Naval Group logo](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="200" height="60" viewBox="0 0 200 60"><rect width="200" height="60" fill="%23111"/><text x="100" y="38" font-family="Arial" font-weight="bold" font-size="16" fill="%23c8a84b" text-anchor="middle">NAVAL GROUP</text></svg>)
![Fincantieri logo](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="200" height="60" viewBox="0 0 200 60"><rect width="200" height="60" fill="%23111"/><text x="100" y="38" font-family="Arial" font-weight="bold" font-size="16" fill="%23c8a84b" text-anchor="middle">FINCANTIERI</text></svg>)
- EMPAR active phased array radar
- Aster 30 for ballistic missile defense
- 48-cell VLS large magazine
- 7000nm range for blue water ops
- No AESA (EMPAR is passive phased array)
- Complex Franco-Italian program
- Expensive maintenance
- Only 4 ships built total
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SIGN INThe avionics suite on this platform sets a new benchmark for sensor fusion. Integration with other nodes is the key differentiator.
Main gun accuracy at extended range requires stabilization and fire control maturity that few systems achieve.
Anti-ship missile defense integration at this displacement represents a doctrinal commitment to area defense.