Floréal class, Vendémiaire (F734)

Mathll · May 27, 2026, 4:34am

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Hello everyone and welcome to this new feature.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to a Floréal-class frigate: the Vendémiaire (F734).

Laid down by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire in the early 1990s, the Vendémiaire was launched in 1992 before entering active service with the French Navy in 1993. The fifth unit of the Floréal class, it is designed to carry out maritime surveillance, presence, and protection missions for French interests, particularly in the exclusive economic zones of the overseas territories.

Upon entering service, the Vendémiaire was assigned to the Pacific region and joined its home port of Nouméa. From this strategic base, the ship operates across a vast maritime area encompassing New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and a large part of the South Pacific. It carries out sovereignty missions, fisheries surveillance, combating illicit trafficking, and maintaining a deterrent presence.

The Vendémiaire participates in numerous international operations and exercises, illustrating France’s role as a maritime power in the Indo-Pacific region. It notably takes part in joint deployments with allied navies such as those of the United States, Australia, and Japan.

Like other units of its class, the Vendémiaire is engaged in presence missions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, sensitive areas where freedom of navigation is a major concern.

The ship is also involved in rescue and assistance operations. In a region prone to natural disasters, such as cyclones or earthquakes, it can be rapidly mobilized to deliver humanitarian aid, evacuate civilians, or provide logistical support.

In 2015, like all the ships of the Floréal class, the Vendémiaire underwent a modernization program during which its aging MM38 Exocet missiles were removed.

More recently, the Vendémiaire has maintained a regular presence in the Pacific, participating in multinational exercises and conducting long-duration patrols. It thus contributes to the defense of French interests, regional cooperation, and naval diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.

Finally, like all the ships of the Floréal class, the Vendémiaire takes its name from the French Republican calendar, established after the Revolution. The month of Vendémiaire corresponds to the grape harvest period, between the end of September and the beginning of October, marking the beginning of the year in this calendar.

Characteristics

Length : 93.5 m
Width : 14 m
Mass : 2950 tons

The ship is powered by 4 Pielstick 6 P.A.6 diesel engines of 6,470 kW each and has 2 propellers with adjustable blades. 3 electric generators of 590 kW each complete the ship’s energy system. This allows it to reach a speed of 20 knots maximum and to travel nearly 10,000 nautical miles at 15 knots without refueling. In addition, the ship can be refueled at sea.A bow thruster is also present at the front of the ship for port entry and exit maneuvers.

The crew is made up of around a hundred people, including personnel from the 36F squadron for the commissioning of the on-board helicopter.

Equipments

Radar :
- DRBV-21 : Surveillance radar
- RACAL DECCA : Navigation and approach radar
Decoys :
- Daguay Decoy Launcher
Helicopter :
A helicopter is present in the ship’s aft hold and can be deployed on the helipad provided for this purpose. The aircraft on board was an Alouette III until the Panthers were put into service, which replaced them. This helicopter can carry weapons in order to carry out patrols and defend boats (warning shots have been fired against pirate boats).

Weapons

Before 2015 :
- 1 x 100 mm/55 (3.9") Model 1968 CAMDAM canon (front gun)
- 2 x 20mm canon (a cannon mounted on each side)
- 2 x MM38 Exocet missiles (A missile launcher to each side)

In 2015, the ships underwent an evolution, making them more capable of carrying out their surveillance and counter-piracy missions but consequently making them less suitable for combat.

Afer 2015 :
- 1 x 100 mm/55 (3.9") Model 1968 CAMDAM canon (front gun)
- 2 x 20mm canon (a cannon mounted on each side)
Additional armament :
- Sambad System (a Sambad system launching short-range Mistral missiles can be installed above the helicopter hangar to defend the ship from aerial threats)

In game this Frigate would be a very interesting addition to the French Navy, bringing a more modern ship than what is already in game but having a relatively simple armament (if we omit the exocet missiles) which would make the ship easily balanced.

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