The French Navy’s first Defence and Intervention Frigate, Amiral Ronarc’h, has completed the main evaluation phase of its long-duration deployment, Naval Group reported on July 21, 2026. The 123-day mission tested whether the 4,500-tonne warship can sustain combat operations across widely different climates while maintaining crew effectiveness and system reliability. After sailing 24,850 nautical miles from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean, the frigate generated operational data on its combat system, propulsion, cooling, maintenance demands, and workload. A scheduled maintenance period in Brest from September to December 2026 will prepare the ship for the final steps toward active service and strengthen France’s capacity for long-range naval deployment. Read more... French Navy frigate Amiral Ronarc’h undergoes extended operational trials to validate its Sea Fire radar, Aster air-defence missiles, Exocet anti-ship armament and anti-submarine warfare systems before...