Floréal class frigate

The Floréal class is a French surveillance frigate family built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique for low-threat overseas patrol, maritime policing, and presence missions. The class uses commercial-ship construction standards, carries a helicopter deck and hangar, and Nivôse is publicly documented in EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta counter-piracy operations off Somalia.

Somali piracy / Operation AtalantaUnspecified

Floréal class frigate, Surveillance frigate class, Naval Systems

Image source: Le Nivôse aux Kerguelen.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Profile

Origin: France
Built by: Chantiers de l'Atlantique
Type: Surveillance frigate class
Service note: 1992-present
Produced: 1990-2003
Number built: 8 total (6 French, 2 Moroccan)
Variants: Royal Moroccan Navy export variant

Also Known As

Floreal class
Floréal-class frigate
Floréal-class surveillance frigate
French frigate Floréal

frigate naval patrol maritime patrol surveillance shipboard

Specifications

Displacement: 2,600 tonnes standard; 2,950 tonnes full load
Length: 93.5 m overall
Beam: 14 m
Draught: 4.3 m
Speed: 20 knots
Range: 9,000 nautical miles at 15 knots
Aviation facilities: 30 x 15 m helicopter landing pad and 10 x 15 m hangar
Armament: 100 mm CADAM turret, two 20 mm guns, and originally two Exocet MM38 missiles before the French ships' launchers were removed in 2014

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Built for French Navy overseas patrol and presence duties; the class remains in service with French and Moroccan navies.
Used by: French Navy, Royal Moroccan Navy
Wars: Somali piracy / Operation Atalanta

Conflict Usage

Side: Unspecified

Floréal-class frigate Nivôse is publicly documented with EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta in counter-piracy actions off Somalia, including capture of pirate vessels and suspects.

Timeline

Floréal class frigate Key Events

Jan 20, 1989
First ships ordered
The class program began with the first two ships ordered on 20 January 1989.
Sources: Floreal class Frigate French Navy Marine Nationale Fregate
Jan 1, 1992
Lead ship commissioned
Floréal, the lead ship of the class, entered service in 1992.
Sources: Category:Floréal (F730) - Wikimedia Commons
Apr 15, 2009
Nivôse captures pirate vessels
EU NAVFOR reported that Nivôse, attached to Operation Atalanta, captured 11 suspected pirates with a mother ship and two skiffs in the Indian Ocean.
Sources: EU NAVFOR warship captures Pirate Mother Ship | EUNAVFOR
Nov 16, 2020
Nivôse on surveillance mission south of the Indian Ocean
A Marine nationale image of Nivôse documented surveillance work south of the Indian Ocean, including fisheries policing and anti-trafficking missions.
Sources: 2020 MBST 229 Q 009 007 HomeF732.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Floréal class frigate Images

Floréal class frigate, Surveillance frigate class, Naval Systems - view 1 — Source: FNS Nivose Fremantle, Western Australia.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Floréal class frigate, Surveillance frigate class, Naval Systems - view 2 — Source: 2020 MBST 229 Q 009 007 HomeF732.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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Sources

Floréal Frigate Class - Chantiers de l'AtlantiquePublisher: Chantiers de l'Atlantique | Note: Supports the Floréal-class builder context, propulsion, weapons fit, radar fit, and commercial-ship design approach. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Floreal class Frigate French Navy Marine Nationale FregatePublisher: seaforces.org | Note: Supports the class background, patrol role, build period, dimensions, displacement, speed, range, helicopter facilities, and French and Moroccan service context. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 EU NAVFOR warship captures Pirate Mother Ship | EUNAVFORPublisher: EU Naval Force | Note: Supports Somali piracy / Operation Atalanta direct conflict use: the French frigate NIVOSE captured 11 suspected pirates together with a mother ship and two skiffs. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Le Nivôse aux Kerguelen.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary Floréal-class gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 FNS Nivose Fremantle, Western Australia.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance and licensing context for a Floréal-class ship photo at Fremantle. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 2020 MBST 229 Q 009 007 HomeF732.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance and licensing context for a Marine nationale Nivôse surveillance photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Category:Floréal (F730) - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the lead ship's class identity and the category page's commissioning context for Floréal. | Accessed: 2026-06-25