PARIS ― Naval Group has picked the first batch of equipment suppliers for the FTI intermediate frigate program for the French Navy, the shipbuilder said Tuesday.

Selecting the most effective suppliers and subcontractors was key, as the equipment accounted for a significant part of the budget of a warship, the company said in a statement. Naval Group is the prime contractor and systems integrator on the FTI program.

Generally, about half the budget for a warship is earmarked for equipment, while a third of the total budget is spent on the combat management system, an industry executive said. Building the hull accounts for the rest.

Naval Group has picked the following suppliers and subcontractors:

  • Axima for heating system, ventilation and air conditioning.
  • CNIM for doors, sonars and torpedoes.
  • iXblue for navigation systems.
  • Leonardo for the medium-caliber 76mm cannon.
  • MBDA for the integration of missile launchers.
  • MTU for diesel engines.
  • Safran Electronics & Defense for its Paseo XLR extra long-range surveillance electro-optical system.
  • Thales for sonars, electronic warfare, identification friend or foe, and communications.

The program’s success depends on the suppliers delivering equipment on time and meeting the quality standard, said Frédéric Massa, Naval Group’s director of purchasing.

“We expect a lot from our suppliers,” he said. “Their innovative and competitive solutions will contribute to delivering technological superiority on the operational theater.”

Thales will also supply the Sea Fire multifunction naval radar, which will be delivered under a separate contract with France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement procurement office.

Naval Group is due to deliver the first of five 4,200-ton warships in 2023 under the €3.8 billion (U.S. $4.7 billion) FTI program. The warship will equip the French Navy, while Naval Group will pitch its export version under the brand name Belh@rra.

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