According to information published by Phnom Penh Post on March 24, 2023, the French Floreal class frigate Prairial is making a port visit in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
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French Navy's Floreal class frigate FS Prairial. (Picture source: French MFA)
The last French stopover in Cambodia was in 2016, and the stopovers planned for 2020-2021 could not take place due to health conditions. The ship is involved in the fight against illegal fishing in international waters, as well as in the EEZs of Pacific island countries.
The crew will interact with the armed forces of ASEAN countries, Korea and Japan, thus reinforcing its military interoperability with the navies of these partner countries.
Prairial
Prairial is a Floréal-class frigate in the French Navy. She was ordered on January 20, 1989, and built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique. The vessel was laid down on September 11, 1990, and launched on March 16, 1991. Prairial was commissioned into service on May 20, 1992.
The specifications of the Floreal class frigate include a displacement of 2,600 t and 3,000 t at full load, a length of 93.5 m, a beam of 14 m, and a draught of 4.3 m.
The propulsion system of the Floréal-class frigate consists of four SEMT Pielstick 6 PA6 L280 BPC diesel engines with a total power of 6,580 kW, two shafts, and one 203 kW bow thruster. The maximum speed of the vessel is 20 knots, and it has a range of 9,000 nautical miles at 15 knots.
The Floréal-class frigate has a complement of 90 crew members and can carry up to 24 marines. The sensors and processing systems of the vessel include the DRBV-21C (Mars) air sentry radar, Racal Decca RM1290 navigation radar, and Racal Decca RM1290 landing radar. The electronic warfare and decoys systems include the ARBG-1A Saïgon and two Dagaie decoy systems.
The armament of the Floréal-class frigate includes one 100 mm CADAM turret with Najir fire control system, two 20 mm modèle F2 guns, and previously two Exocet MM38 missiles that have since been removed. The vessel also carries one Eurocopter Dauphin N3 for aviation purposes, and it has a flight deck and hangar.
