Heller 81035 Frégate La Fayette

La Fayette is the name of a class of French missile frigates of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The first unit of this class was launched in 1992. To date, 20 units of this type have been built, five of which are used by the French Marine Nationale. The full displacement of this class is 3,600 tons, 125 m long and 15.4 m wide. The maximum speed is up to 25 knots. The La Fayette class ships are armed with: a single 100mm cannon, two 20mm cannons, and a single, 26-rail Crotale missile launcher. A helicopter can also be based on their decks.

La Fayette class frigates have stealth properties, thanks to the appropriate architecture of superstructures and hull, and the use of materials that absorb radar radiation. The launchers of this class of units are also able to use Aster 15 missiles, which can counter not only airplanes, but also anti-ship missiles. They are also characterized by good seaworthiness and rich electronic equipment. They have also achieved considerable export success and are located in the following fleets: Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is worth adding, however, that the units serving under foreign flags differ significantly in terms of armament and electronics from the French prototypes.