According to information published by the Korea Herald on April 19, 2023, the French Floreal class frigate Prairial docked in Incheon, South Korea for a scheduled visit.
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French Floreal class frigate Prairial. (Picture source: French MFA)
On April 15, 2023, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ms. Catherine Colonna, delivered a speech on board the Floreal class frigate Prairial in South Korea.
Ms. Colonna addressed North Korea’s illegal development of its nuclear and ballistic programs and emphasized that France stands with South Korea in their opposition to such activities.
The Minister stressed that France will continue to rally diplomatic and military assets, such as the frigate Prairial, to ensure that Security Council resolutions, which apply to all, are respected.
About Prairial
The frigate has a displacement of 2,600 t (2,600 long tons) and 3,000 t (2,950 long tons) at full load. It is 93.5 m (306 ft 9 in) in length and 14 m (45 ft 11 in) in beam.
The draught is 4.3 m (14 ft 1 in). The vessel is powered by four SEMT Pielstick 6 PA6 L280 BPC diesel engines with a total power output of 6,580 kW (8,820 hp), driving two shafts and a 203 kW (272 hp) bow thruster.
Her maximum speed is 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph), and it has a range of 9,000 nmi (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). The frigate can carry 24 marines and has a crew complement of 90.
The DRBV-21C (Mars) air sentry radar, Racal Decca RM1290 navigation radar, and Racal Decca RM1290 landing radar are its primary sensors and processing systems.
The vessel is equipped with an ARBG-1A Saïgon electronic warfare system and 2 Dagaie decoy systems for defense. Her armament includes 1 × 100 mm CADAM turret with Najir fire control system, 2 × 20 mm modèle F2 guns, and formerly 2 Exocet MM38 missiles, which have since been removed.
The frigate has the capacity to carry either a Panther helicopter or Dauphin N3, with the latter replacing the former Aérospatiale Alouette III on some ships in 2022. She has a flight deck and hangar for this purpose.
