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La Fayette-class frigate
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=== Background === {{More citations needed|date=March 2011}} In the late 1980s, the [[French Navy]] (''Marine Nationale'') started the studies for [[frigate]]s adapted to low-intensity conflicts in the post–[[Cold War]] era. The ships were to serve in the large French [[exclusive economic zone]] (EEZ), be adapted to humanitarian operations or low-intensity operations in support of land troops, and replace the aging {{sclass|D'Estienne d'Orves|aviso}}s, which tended to prove too focused on naval operations and were ill-suited for joint operations. Conventional warships used in low-intensity or humanitarian relief operations proved costly, with their heavy equipment and large crew. Hence came the requirement for lightly armed frigates with economical engines and small crew. In Italy, the same requirements led to the development of the {{sclass|Cassiopea|patrol vessel|5}} and {{sclass|Minerva|corvette|5}} type [[corvette]]s, built according to both civilian and military standards. These ships were limited to {{convert|1,300|t|LT ST|lk=on}} because the limited size and depth of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and the proximity of the homeland. The French Navy, on the other hand, had to be present in overseas territories, bases and EEZ. To be enduring enough, the ships had to reach {{convert|3,000|t|LT ST}}, the size of a frigate. The larger displacement allows combining strong firepower (like the ''Minerva'' class) and a capacity for a medium helicopter (like the ''Cassiopea'' class), along with a good autonomy and seaworthiness. The first type of ships built on these principles were the {{sclass|Floréal|frigate|1}}s, built on civilian standards, with a limited armament, and carrying a medium helicopter. These ships are high endurance units designed to be operated in overseas territories in the [[Caribbean Sea]], [[Polynesia]], and [[New Caledonia]] and the EEZ, where the likelihood of a naval threat is low. The speed is limited to {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}} because of the low-power engines which emphasised autonomy and reliability. To fight [[Piracy|pirates]] in fast [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]]s, the ''Floréal''s rely on their onboard helicopter and marine detachment. The niche for more hostile environments is covered by the ''La Fayette'' type, designed to operate in complex zones like the [[Indian Ocean]] or [[Djibouti]]. These ships were to be able to secure the EEZ, but also to operate in naval groups or intelligence gathering missions. The intended role for the ships was in fact very varied, because the experience of the C.70 class, with an intended 20 ships cut down to only nine (the seven {{sclass|Georges Leygues|frigate|1}}s and two {{sclass|Cassard|frigate|1}}s) had taught that project downsizing and reorganisation could lead to badly balanced naval capabilities. The new ships were to benefit from breakthroughs in [[Stealth technology|stealth]] ("''furtivité''") achieved by the DCN in the 1980s. It took several years to refine the concept, and the first ship was eventually launched in 1992, two years after the final design was completed. Weapon system testing took place in 1994, and particularly extensive trials were undertaken to prove the structure of the ship under a wide range of conditions.{{cn|date=July 2022}} ''La Fayette'' was eventually [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] in March 1996.
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