Naval Group Stretches FDI Frigate to 5,400 Tons With 16 Exocets and 300 Loitering Munitions

Naval Group unveiled a stretched variant of its Defense and Intervention Frigate at the Euronaval 2026 exhibition in Paris, a 5,400-tonne warship that can carry up to 16 Exocet anti-ship missiles and launch canisters for more than 300 loitering munitions. Yahoo reported the unveiling.

How the Stretched FDI Hull Works

The design adds a midship plug nearly 30 feet long, bringing the frigate's length to around 430 feet and its standard displacement to some 5,400 tonnes. The extra 800 tonnes is offset by more powerful propulsion systems intended to hold the same top speed. The variant keeps the baseline FDI's sensors, stealth superstructure and core combat architecture, which Naval Group says gives complete logistical commonality with hulls already in serial production.

The expanded hull section allows more missiles inside the ship. Beyond the 16 Exocets, which double the existing complement, an additional amidships vertical launch system can house up to 18 VL MICA NG or 18 CAMM-ER surface-to-air missiles alongside the forward 32-cell VLS. If two eight-cell Sylver A50 launchers are chosen for the midships position, the forward launcher bays can take a 16-cell Sylver A70 or A70 NG battery for Naval Cruise Missiles while a separate 16-cell Sylver launcher carries Aster 15 and Aster 30 interceptors.

The hull extension also accommodates containerized and modular systems, including drone control relays and special-mission equipment, plus accommodation for staff and UAV operators. Increased fuel bunker capacity substantially extends the vessel's operational radius. The baseline FDI is in serial production for the French, Hellenic and Swedish navies.

Naval Group's Sweden Frigate Order

According to akta.pro company records, Naval Group secured a Sweden FDI frigate contract worth approximately $4-5 billion for 4 vessels in May 2026, described as Sweden's largest military investment since the 1980s, with deliveries from 2030. The same records list a February 2026 MoU with Oresund Drydocks to develop local frigate maintenance capabilities in Sweden, signed during a stopover of the FDI frigate Amiral Ronarc'h.

Earlier Euronaval 2026 Unveilings

At the same exhibition, Naval Group unveiled the SCX-26 combat ship concept and a UCUV underwater drone demonstrator, FRENCHWEB.FR reported on November 5, 2026, with the UCUV's sea trials set for 2028. Breaking Defense reported on November 4, 2026 that Naval Group showed an 8,000-ton drone carrier concept designed to deploy surface, aerial and underwater drones. Reuters reported on November 3, 2026 that the SCX-26 is a 170-meter drone warship displacing 8,000 to 10,000 tons with 100 vertical launch cells.

UCUV Sea Trials Set for 2028

France signed a contract with Naval Group to develop an operational demonstrator of a large oceangoing underwater drone, with sea trials starting in 2028, Defense News reported on November 4, 2026.