French FREMM Frigate “Bretagne” Makes Port Call in Kota Kinabalu
As part of its long-range deployment from April to October this year, the French Navy's Aquitaine-class FREMM frigate "Bretagne" (D655) made a port visit to Kota Kinabalu.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – As part of its long-range deployment from April to October this year, the French Navy’s Aquitaine-class FREMM frigate “Bretagne” (D655) made a port visit to Kota Kinabalu.
Prior to its stop in Kota Kinabalu, the French Navy FREMM frigate had docked in Manila, Philippines.
According to the “France in Malaysia” Facebook account, France expressed its deep gratitude to Malaysia and the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) for their warm reception and support during the visit of “Bretagne” to Kota Kinabalu.
“The stopover of the modern and multi-role warship in Malaysia underscores the highest level of enhanced cooperation between Malaysia and France,” according to the French Embassy in Malaysia’s Facebook page.
“For over 20 years, the French and Malaysian navies have built a close relationship, particularly in the areas of submarine and anti-submarine capabilities,” the embassy’s statement added.
A formal luncheon, co-hosted by the French Ambassador to Malaysia, Axel Cruau, and the Commanding Officer of the “Bretagne,” Captain Audrey Boutteville, was held aboard the frigate on September 4, attended by Malaysian officials.
Later that evening, a reception was held with RMN officers in attendance, further fostering defense cooperation between Malaysia and France through interactive engagements.
In their speeches, the French ambassador and the commanding officer highlighted three key pillars of the strong defense ties between the two nations: political interaction, military activities, and collaboration in military equipment.
According to them, naval cooperation forms the foundation of defense collaboration between France and Malaysia.
The Aquitaine-class frigate “Bretagne” is the French Navy’s variant of the European Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM).
The FREMM frigates were designed by French firm DCNS and Italian firm Fincantieri in a joint program to replace frigates and destroyers in both countries’ navies.
Currently, the French Navy operates five Aquitaine-class frigates like the “Bretagne,” though the original plan was to build 17 of these ships.
Commissioned into service in 2019, the Aquitaine-class frigate weighs 6,000 tons, measures 142 meters in length, and is a stealth vessel capable of carrying out various missions.
It has a crew of 108, a top speed of 28 knots, and an operational range of 6,000 nautical miles.
The frigate can carry an NH-90 anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
The Aquitaine-class frigates are armed with an array of weapon systems, including a 76mm main gun, ASTER 15 and ASTER 30 surface-to-air missiles, and the Naval Cruise Missile (MdCN), previously known as SCALP.
The warship is also equipped with EXOCET MM40 anti-ship missiles. — DSA
