Top 10 Most Powerful Frigates in The World

INTRODUCTION

Frigates are an indispensable part of any navy. These ships usually form the numerical bulk of a naval fleet as they are relatively cheaper than large destroyers and cruisers. Every modern navy operates frigates in some or the other form and uses them along with larger surface combatants like destroyers and aircraft carriers. The definition of a modern frigate by Defencyclopedia is

A modern frigate is a 3000-7000 ton warship, equipped with an array of missiles, guns and radars, and is designed to operate autonomously, along with a battle group or act as an escort for non-combatants, in order to fulfill a variety of tasks depending on the mission.

A warship displacing 5000-7000 tons need not always be called as a frigate, as many navies prefer the designation of a ‘destroyer’ for such warships. The designations vary from one navy to another, but the role of the ships does not change. Some countries call their larger surface combatants as frigates for political reasons and some others call their smaller surface combatants as frigates. A modern frigate can displace anywhere between 3000-7000 tons. But for the sake of this article, only frigates displacing 4000-7000 tons will be considered.

This article will deal specifically with the frigates designed and built in the 21st century. Each ship has been carefully analyzed to ensure a neutral ranking. The weapons and sensors on board the ship and their ability to handle multiple targets is given importance. Since each frigate has its own set of strengths and their roles vary greatly and a frigate should not be considered to be better just because it is ranked slightly higher. The top 10 frigates will be listed along with their strengths and weaknesses.

Special thanks to Naval Analyses for the beautiful and intricately detailed infographics which will help you to get a clear idea of the systems on board the frigates. The remaining few have been created by Defencyclopedia. I am pretty sure that many of the ships on this list are relatively unknown. So sit back and enjoy reading the article.

10. Type-54A [China]

This is a new class of frigates for the Chinese Navy which is being built in large numbers. It is a cost effective 4000 ton multi-role frigate that is designed for escort as well as independent operations. It is outfitted mainly with Russian electronics and weapons, some of which have been substituted with Chinese copies. Although it packs a punch, it lags behind other contemporary frigates mainly in the radar department. Because it is the cheapest modern frigate in production, China is building dozens of them and 24 ships of this class have been built until now with more under construction.

Strength: Anti-Air Warfare

Propulsion: It has a Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) propulsion with 4 Shaanxi diesel engines, each rated at 5700 kW, thus producing a total of 22,800 kW

Sensors:

• 1 E-band Fregat-ME as its primary radar for surface and air search
• 4 Front Dome fire control radars for HQ-16 SAM
• 1 Mineral ME radar for guiding the anti-ship missiles
• Hull mounted sonar
• Towed array sonar ( 17th ship onward )

Armament:

• 1 x 76 mm dual purpose main gun
• 8 x C-803 subsonic anti-ship missiles with 180 km range
• 32 Vertical launch system (VLS) cells for 50 km range HQ-16 (Shtil) SAM with semi-active radar seeker.
• 2 x Type-730 Close in Weapons System (CIWS) with dedicated search, track and fire control radar. This is being replaced by the 11 barreled Type 1030 CIWS in the newer ships.
• 2 x 6 ASW rocket launchers for short range rockets
• 2 triple 324 mm lightweight torpedo tubes

Cons:

• It uses the relatively older Fregat-ME radar for surface and air search as its primary sensor.
• There is no secondary long range radar for volume search.
• It has 4 older generation mechanically scanning fire control radars for the SAM, limiting the number of aerial targets engaged simultaneously to 4.
• First 18 frigates of the class lack the important variable depth sonar (VDS).

9. Shivalik class [India]

The Shivalik class is one of the newest frigates of the Indian Navy and has the distinction of being the first class of stealth warships to be designed and built indigenously. It is a very capable platform and excels in all aspects of naval warfare. These 6200 ton ships are classified as frigates and not destroyers due to their relatively light armament with respect to the space available.

Strength: Anti-Submarine Warfare

Propulsion:

• Combined Diesel or Gas (CODAG) propulsion. Using only diesel engines for low speed cruise and using only gas turbines for high speed cruise.
• 2 x Pielstick diesel engines, each producing 11,300 kW for a total of 22,600 kW for low speed cruise at up to 22 knots.
• 2 x LM 2500+ gas turbines, each producing 25,100 kW for a total of 50,200 kW for high speed cruise at 32+ knots (59+ km/hr) 

Sensors:

• It uses the E-band Fregat-ME 3D radar as its primary radar for surface and air search
• The secondary radar is the Elta EL/M-2238 STAR operating in the S-band. It is a multi-role radar with a range of 350+ km.
• 2 Elta EL/M 2221 fire control radars are used for Barak-1 SAM guidance
• 4 Orekh fire control radars are used for Shtil SAM guidance
• 1 BEL Aparna radar for 2D surface search and providing targeting data for Klub/BrahMos anti-ship missiles
• HUMSA-NG( Indian Hull Mounted Sonar Array- New Gen) and ATAS towed array sonar system

Armament:

• It is equipped with 8 Universal VLS cells for Klub/BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles. They can also be used for land attack roles.
• 1 x Single arm reloadable launcher for 24 Shtil-1 Surface to Air Missiles. They are semi-active radar homing and have a 40 km range.
• 32 Barak-1 SAMs in VLS to act as Close in Weapons System (CIWS) and provide defense against sea-skimming cruise missiles.
• 1 x 76 mm Oto Melara Super rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) with 120 rds/min rate of fire up to a range of 17 km. It is highly effective against surface and aerial threats.
• 2 x Ak-630 30 mm Gatling guns as CIWS for last ditch defense against anti-ship missiles
• 2 x RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers. Each launcher has 12 barrels and 96 reloadable rockets below the deck.
• 2 x Twin 533 mm heavyweight torpedo tubes for engaging sub-surface threats.

Cons:

• It uses an outdated single-arm launcher for its primary Shtil-1 Surface to Air Missiles. It takes 6 seconds for the missile to reload and the firing arc is limited to the front of the ship. All other ships in this list have vertical launch systems for their primary SAM.
• Older generation primary radar with mechanically scanning illuminators limit the number of aerial targets engaged simultaneously to 6 (4 can be targeted)

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8. Fridtjof Nansen class [Norway]

This is one of the least heard of and discussed frigates in the world, even though it has a very advanced weapons and sensor suite. Ordered by the Royal Norweign Navy to replace it’s ageing Oslo class frigates and serve in the anti-submarine role, the 5300 ton Nansen class frigates now form the core of the Norweign Navy and have ended up as very capable multi-role platforms.

Strength: Anti-Submarine Warfare

Propulsion:  It has a Combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion with two diesel engines producing 9MW for low speed cruise and one LM2500+ 21.5 MW gas turbine for high speed cruise. A total of 30.5 MW is generated during CODAG running.

Sensors:

• It features the American SPY-1F multi-function PESA radar with 4 faces using AEGIS combat system as it’s primary radar.
• MRS 2000 hull mounted sonar (HMS) and CAPTAS towed array sonar (TAS) provide comprehensive submarine detection capability
• 2 x SPG-62 radars provide target illumination in the terminal interception stage for Evolved Sea Sparrow surface to air missiles

Armament:

• 1 x 76 mm Super Rapid gun for engaging surface and aerial threats
• 8 x Mk41 cells for 32 Evolved Sea Sparrow (ESSM) surface to air missiles with a range of 50 km provide air defense
• 8 NSM anti-ship/land attack cruise missiles with a 125 kg warhead and a 185+ km range
• These ships have space for an additional 8 x Mk41 VLS module with 32 more ESSM
• 4 x 324 mm torpedo tubes for stingray torpedoes provide ASW capability

Cons:

• It does not have a long range SAM like SM-2 to make full use of the capabilities provided by the SPY-1F radar

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7. Carlo Bergamini class [Italy]

Developed as a part of the Franco-Italian FREMM (Multi-Mission Frigate) program, the Italian version of the FREMM is one of the most advanced ships in the world. There are 2 variants

•  General Purpose (GP) – They are equally good at all aspects of warfare
• Anti-Submarine (ASW) – They are dedicated for the submarine hunting role and fitted with specific ASW features by sacrificing land attack and anti-ship capabilities.

Strength: Anti-Submarine Warfare

Propulsion:

• These 6900 ton ships feature an extremely advanced hybrid electric propulsion system which is of the CODLAG (combined diesel-electric and gas turbine) type.
• It has 1 × 32 MW LM2500+ gas turbine for normal operations.
• For quiet anti-submarine operations, 2 × 2.5 MW electric motors (powered by 4 diesel generators) are used to run the ship.

Sensors:

• The primary radar is the Selex MFRA multi-function active phased array radar which can detect targets 400+ km away and provide fire-control for the Aster SAMs
• 2 Selex NA-25X radars provide fire control for the 76 and 127 mm guns
• 1 Selex RAN-30X radar is used for surface search in 2D and to provide target designation for the Otomat and MILAS missiles

Armament:

• 1 x Oto Melara 127 mm gun with long range Vulcano guided shells for land attack and 1 x 76 mm gun with guided shells for engaging aerial and surface targets (GP variant)
• 2 x Oto Melara 76 mm gun with guided shells (ASW variant)
• 16 x A50 vertical launch cells for Aster-15/30 SAMs with 35+ km range and 120+ km range respectively provide long-range air defense coverage (common)
• 4 Otomat anti-ship missiles with 200+ km range (GP variant )
• 4 MILAS anti-submarine missiles with lightweight torpedo (ASW variant)

Cons:

• Comparatively small SAM loadout of 16 missiles for a large 6900 ton ship

You can read more about these ships in a detailed article by Naval Analyses here

6. Aquitaine class [France]

The Aquitaine class is among the most balanced frigates in the world and are capable of carrying out any type of mission ranging from anti-air warfare to land attack against targets 1000+ km away. These hi-tech ships will be the backbone of the French Navy and 11 ships will be built by 2020. The first 9 ships will be full multi-mission variants and the last 2 will be dedicated for anti-air warfare by sacrificing land attack capability. They are a part of the same FREMM program as the Carlo Bergamini class. These ships feature extreme automation levels and have a crew requirement of just around 120.

Strength: Land Attack

Propulsion:

• These ships have an advanced hybrid electric-propulsion which is of the CODLOG type (Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas turbine)
• It has 1 × 32 MW LM2500+ gas turbine for normal operations.
• For quiet anti-submarine operations, 2 × 2.5 MW electric motors are used to run the ship.

Sensors:

• The primary radar is the Thales Herakles passive phased array radar which operates in the S-band and has a range of 250 km. It is a multi-fuction radar which can track surface and aerial targets and provide fire control for the Aster SAMs.
• Vigy MM electro-optical fire control system for the 76 mm gun

Armament:

• 1 x 76 mm Oto Melara SRGM for engaging surface and aerial threats at a range of 15 km.
• 16 A43 VLS cells are provided for the medium range Aster-15 SAM with a range of 35+ km
• 16 A70 VLS cells are equipped with the 1000+ km range naval Scalp cruise missile for land attack roles
• 8 Exocet Blk3 anti-ship missiles are present amidships for engaging ships at ranges of over 200 km
• 2 twin tubes for MU90 lightweight torpedoes
• 3 x Nexter’s NARWHAL 20B 20 mm remote weapons stations for engaging close in surface threats

Cons:

• There is only 1 main multi-function radar and no secondary search radar. All other ships in this list have at least 2 major radars.

You can read more about these ships in a detailed article by Naval Analyses here

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5. Álvaro de Bazán-class [Spain]

This ship has the distinction of being the most heavily armed anti-air warfare frigate in the world. The 5 frigates of this class were built to serve as a modern escort for the Spanish fleet. The AEGIS combat system and the SPY-1D radar were chosen to facilitate interoperability with the AEGIS equipped US Navy destroyers. These 6300 ton frigates were chosen as the base design for the Australian Navy’s Hobart class destroyer.

Strength: Anti-Air Warfare

Propulsion:  It has a CODOG (Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine) propulsion system with 2 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbines and 2 × Caterpillar 3600 diesel engines.

Sensors:

• It’s primary sensor is the 4 faced SPY-1D PESA radar with the AEGIS combat system. This gives it a world class air defense system which can detect targets at 300+ km. This radar can track hundreds of targets simultaneously. The SPY-1D also provides guidance for the surface to air missiles till the illuminators take over.
• 2 × Raytheon SPG-62 radar illuminator to provide terminal guidance to the surface to air missiles.
• 1 x SPS-67 surface search radar
• It has a bow-mounted Raytheon DE1160 LF active and passive sonar for submarine detection

Armament:

• 1 x 127 mm Mk45 main gun for use against surface and land targets
• For anti-air warfare, it has the Mk 41 Vertical Launch system with 48 cells for a combination of  32 SM-2MR Block IIIA (100+ km range) and 64 ESSM (50 km range, 4 missiles per cell) surface to air missiles.
• 8 × RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles in 2 quad launchers
• 4 × 324 mm tubes for Mk46 lightweight torpedo

Cons:

• The older generation mechanically scanning SPG-62 illuminators limit the number of targets engaged simultaneously.

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 4. Iver Huitfeldt-class [Denmark]

This ship class has the distinction of being the cheapest among the most advanced frigates in the world. This is due to the fact that they used the already existing hull of the Absalon class support ships to make a frigate, thereby reducing design costs significantly and maintaining commonality. These 6600 ton frigates look a bit bulky and clumsy when compared to other frigates, but they pack a lethal combination of weapons and sensors. Since they share most of their missiles and radars with the next frigates in this list, i will explain them in detail here and just mention them for the other 2.

Strength: Anti-Air Warfare

Propulsion: It is powered by 4 MTU diesel engines which generate 8.2 MW each for a total of 32.8 MW of power.

Sensors:

• The main sensor is the 4-faced APAR (Advanced Phased Array Radar). This multi-function AESA radar works in the X-band and provides target detection, tracking and engagement in 360°. It has a major advantage over the SPY-1 search and SPG-62 illumination radar combination used in the Alvaro de Bazan class as the APAR can detect the incoming targets as well as provide guidance for 32 SAMs simultaneously including terminal illumination for 16 of them. Such a capability is invaluable while handling saturation missile attacks and allows the use of the SM-2 and ESSM surface to air missiles to their fullest potential.
• The Thales SMART-L radar provides long range aerial surveillance and the ability to detect and track ballistic missiles at distances of 400+ km. This AESA radar operating in the L-band is capable of tracking 1500 targets simultaneously and provides early warning.
• There are 2 Saab CEROS 200 fire control radars to provide fire control for the 76 mm and 35 mm guns on board.
• The Atlas ASO 94 hull mounted sonar provides submarine detection capability.

Armament:

• 32 Mk 41 VLS cells for a total of 32 SM-2 IIIA surface-to-air missiles (100+ km range)
• Mk 56 VLS cells for 24 RIM-162 ESSM ( 50 km range)
• 2 quad launchers for 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles
• 1 × Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm CIWS. This a highly advanced revolver gun with a 1000 rpm rate of fire. It uses special air-burst ammunition to destroy incoming threats.
• 2 × OTO Melara 76 mm guns ( Will be replaced by 127 mm and 35 mm guns)
• 2 × Dual MU90 ASW torpedo launchers

Cons:

• Diesel-only propulsion system when compared to the cutting edge CODOG/CODELAG systems on board the other top frigates.
• No towed array sonar

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3. De Zeven Provincien class [Netherlands]

The 4 air-defence frigates of this class are among the most advanced ships in their category. These 6000 ton ships possess advanced radars and missiles and is slated for a major radar upgrade which will give it unparalleled surveillance capability. This frigate class is noted for it’s anti-ballistic missile capability which was demonstrated in NATO exercises. It’s radars are said to be fully capable of detecting and tracking ballistic missiles at distances of 500+ km and target engagement will be done by US Navy ships using this information as these frigates don’t possess the SM-3 missile yet.

Strength: Anti-Air Warfare

Propulsion: It has a Combined Diesel and Gas turbine (CODAG) propulsion. The 2 x Wärtsilä diesel engines generate 4.2 MW each and the 2 × Rolls Royce Spey turbines generate 18.5 MW each, for a total of 45.4 MW

Sensors:

• The main sensor is the 4-faced APAR (Advanced Phased Array Radar). This multi-function AESA radar works in the X-band and provides target detection, tracking and engagement in 360°. It will be upgraded with an increased range version.
• The Thales SMART-L radar provides long range aerial surveillance and the ability to detect and track ballistic missiles at distances of 400+ km. This AESA radar operating in the L-band is capable of tracking 1500 targets simultaneously and provides early warning. A newer version with the capability to detect and track ballistic missiles 2000+ km away will be installed in the future.
• An Atlas Elektronik DSQS-24C hull-mounted sonar provides submarine detection capability

Armament:

• It has a 40 cell Mk41 VLS system with 32 x SM-2 IIIA surface-to-air missiles (1 per cell) and 32 × Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (4 per cell)
• 1 × Oto Melara 127 mm dual-purpose gun
• 2 × Goalkeeper CIWS with a 30 mm Gatling gun firing at 3000 rpm
• 2 quad launchers for 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles
• 2 × twin torpedo launchers with  MK46 lightweight torpedoes

Cons: No towed array sonar

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2. Sachsen class [Germany]

Developed as a replacement for the Lütjens class destroyer, the Saschen is an advanced anti-air frigate built for the Deutsche Marine (German Navy). It’s sensor suite and armament are largely similar to that of the Iver Huitfeldt and De Zven Provincien class frigates. The Sachsen however has a small advantage owing to its dual helicopter hangars, compared to the single hangar on the other two.  3 ships of this class serve at present and plans for a 4th ship were shelved. Keeping future upgrades in mind, these 5800 ton ships have been designed to accommodate 270 tons of extra weight.

Strength: Anti-Air Warfare

Propulsion: They have a Combined Diesel and Gas turbine (CODAG) propulsion system with 1 x LM2500 gas turbine generating 23,500 kW  and 2 x MTU diesel engines generating 7.5 MW each. A total of 38.5 MW of power is available for high speed cruises.

Sensors:

• The main sensor is the 4-faced APAR (Advanced Phased Array Radar). This multi-function AESA radar works in the X-band and provides target detection, tracking and engagement in 360°.
• The Thales SMART-L radar provides long range aerial surveillance and the ability to detect and track ballistic missiles at distances of 400+ km. This AESA radar operating in the L-band is capable of tracking 1500 targets simultaneously and provides early warning.
• 1 x Atlas bow-mounted sonar for detecting submarines

Armament:

• It has 32 Mk41 VLS cells to carry a mix of 24 SM-2 Blk IIIA  + 32 ESSM  Surface To Air Missiles. This variant of the SM-2 has a 150+ km range and serves the role as an area defence SAM. The 50 km range ESSM provides medium range air defence.
• It has 2 x RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) launchers with 21 missiles each. A total of 42 missiles of 10 km range form the third layer of air defence for this frigate.
• 2 x quad launchers for 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles
• 1 x 76 mm Oto Melara dual purpose gun
• 2 x triple launchers for MU90 lightweight torpedoes
• 2 x Rheinmetall 27 mm guns in remote weapons station

Cons: Absence of a towed array sonar limits it’s ASW capabilities.

You can read more about these ships in a detailed article by Naval Analyses here

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 1. Admiral Gorshkov class [Russia]

The Admiral Gorshkov class of guided missile frigates, which incorporate the best weapons and sensors that the Russian industry can produce, is set to be the mainstay of the future Russian fleet. It has an excellent balance of weapons and sensors and is the perfect example for a multi-role frigate. Many ships in this list either lack a secondary radar, land-attack capability or a proper CIWS. But this ship right here, has everything that is needed for a modern surface combatant and displacing around 5000 tons when fully loaded. Russia has planned to build 15 ships for its fleet and as of now, 3 ships are under construction and 1 is finished.

This ship has an excellent balance of weapons and sensors and is the perfect example for a modern ‘Multi-Role Frigate’

Strength: Anti-Air warfare, Anti-Submarine and Surface Warfare

Propulsion: It features a combined diesel and gas turbine (COGAG) propulsion with 2  diesel engines generating 3.9 MW each and 2 M90FR gas turbines producing 20.5 MW each, for a total of  49 MW of power.

Sensors:

• It has a 4 face Poliment 5P-20K multi-function S-band AESA radar which can search and track aerial and surface targets as well as provide guidance to the SAMs.
• This is complemented by a Furke-4 volume search radar which is uniquely mounted on top of the main radar itself. This prevents interference and allows both radars to have unobstructed search capability.
• Monolit 34K1 radar is used for Anti-Ship missile guidance and surface search
• Puma fire control radar for the 130 mm gun and 2 illuminators for the Palash CIWS
• Submarine detection capability is provided by the Zarya M bow mounted and Vinyekta towed array sonars along with the embarked Ka-27 ASW helicopter

Armament:

• 1 × 130mm A-192M primary gun
• 16  Universal VLS cells which can be armed with P-800 Oniks (300-500 km range) anti-ship missiles, Kalibr-Nk land attack cruise missiles (2500 km range), 91RTE2 Anti-submarine missile (which drops a torpedo 50 km away)
• Long-range air defense is provided by 32 Redut VLS cells, which can carry 32 9M96E series SAMs of 40-120 km range
• 2  Palash CIWS with twin 30 mm Gatling guns each. It has an integrated electro-optic fire control system and 8 short range SAMs.
• 2 pedestal mounted 14.5 mm heavy machine guns
• It has 2 x 4 330mm torpedo tubes for the unique Paket-NK torpedoes which can engage enemy submarines as well as torpedoes, thus serving a dual role.

Cons: It has no significant drawbacks

CONCLUSION

Since this article has laid emphasis on weapons, sensors and multi-role capabilities of the frigates, the chart topper will be the best multi-role frigate. It is also important to keep in mind that some ships ranked slightly lower may excel in only one area as they have been designed that way from the outset. Every navy may not require a multi-role frigate as their areas of operation and threats faced are totally different. Most European navies lay a heavy emphasis on anti-air warfare as they perceive Russian cruise missiles as a major threat. Asian navies tend to place more emphasis on surface warfare with full multi-role capability. I hope this list has given you a good idea about the 10 most advanced frigates in service today.

There are many more advanced frigates which are going to enter service in the next 5-10 years. Some of the exciting frigate projects like the British Type 26 and the Indian P-17A are going to set new standards in capabilities and performance. China is rumoured to be working on a Type 54B frigate with better features. Frigates will continue to remain as a backbone for most navies worldwide.

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