PARIS -- On March 31, the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) placed an order with Naval Group for a fifth Defence and Intervention Frigate (FDI) for the French Navy, expanding a program launched in 2017 to modernize the country’s surface combatant fleet. The lead ship, Amiral Ronarc’h, was delivered in October 2025 and is currently undergoing initial operational deployment, with the remaining vessels scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2032.

Naval Group's FDI frigate design is currently planned for service with both the French and Greek navies.

The FDI is equipped with Exocet MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles, Aster 15 and 30 surface-to-air missiles, MU-90 Impact torpedoes, and 76mm and 20mm naval guns. Aviation facilities support simultaneous operation of a helicopter and an unmanned system, while onboard capacity allows for deployment of special forces and commando boats.

The class incorporates a fully digital architecture, centered on a cyber-secure and redundant onboard data infrastructure supporting combat system functions and sensor integration. Operationally, the design includes a dedicated station for countering asymmetric threats such as UAVs and small surface attackers, separate from the primary operations center. The FDI also features an integrated mast housing sensor system, including the Thales Sea Fire fixed-panel radar, enabling continuous 360-degree surveillance and enhanced situational awareness.

Source: French Ministry of the Armed Forces
Associated URL: https://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/actualites/dga-commande-cinquieme-fregate-defense-dintervention-fdi-naval-group

OSLO -- The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency has awarded Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Salt Ship Design (SALT) a contract to design a new class of standardized vessels. The design will form the concept for a proposed class of 28 new patrol vessels planned for both the Navy and Coast Guard. The standardized vessel will reportedly come in two design variants, one for coastal operations and the other for oceangoing missions.

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence opened a pre-qualification phase in January and is expected to open a tender for a builder for the design later this year. The first hull is expected to be delivered in 2030.

Kongsberg and SALT also partnered on a $6.9 million contract for the design of Canada's six new mid-shore multi-mission coast guard vessels.

Source: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
Associated URL: https://www.kongsberg.com/kda/news/news-archive/2026/kongsberg-and-salt-ship-design-to-design-norways-standardised-vessels/
Author: Ivar Simensen 

WASHINGTON -- On March 31, 2026, Teledyne Marine announced that it had been awarded a contract by the U.K. Ministry of Defence in support of the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering (FMDG) program. Under this contract, Teledyne will supply numerous autonomous ocean observing systems, including Sentinel and Slocum gliders and APEX floats.

The contract aims to improve the Royal Navy’s collection of oceanographic and environmental data using uncrewed technologies. Under the FMDG program, Teledyne’s systems are set to provide long-term data collection from complex and remote locations at sea, furthering the Royal Navy’s access to environmental intelligence.

This contract continues the Royal Navy’s use of Teledyne’s autonomous platforms. Teledyne Marine has supplied unmanned systems, including Slocum gliders, APEX floats, and Gavia autonomous platforms, to the Royal Navy since 2015.

Source: Teledyne Marine
Associated URL: https://www.teledynemarine.com/en-us/news/Pages/UK-Royal-Navy-Awards-Teledyne-Contract-for-Autonomous-Underwater-Vehicles-and-Floats.aspx