DCN recently revealed their FM400 FFG concept for export; a 4000 ton frigate based on modular architecture - i.e. in-tune for export & specific naval requirements (LINK). DCN may display an FM400 model in IDEAS 2008 in Karachi this upcoming November to compete for the first phase of PN's future-FFG - 4 general purpose ships - and make up for the SSK & corvette losses.

waz do you have any information on this?

Some information on FM400: - http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=106643

Interesting, just a tad bigger than the LaFayette class, the first of which was ordered in 1988 and commissioned 1996 (i.e. 20-25 year old design).

Until they reveal the cost, the FM400 is shaping up to be an attractive ship...especially if it comes at a lower cost than FREMM. If armed with the standard 32 Aster-15 SAAM, 2-triple MU90 tubes, 8 Exocet MM40 Block-III, etc, and set to at most 400mn USD/ship - it would be very competitive on the market. I hope we see a model at IDEAS 2008...and see if PN is interested in this ship.

probably will just be like Formidable class. And with the current Euro/USD exchange rate + inflation in the coming years, you are going to have to add on top of that one. Probably eventually looking at FREMM price range after factoring in RnD cost + inflation --> 300 million EURO.

Sounds about right...Bulgaria was offered Gowind 200 for about $300mn USD/ship...and FREMM has definitely crossed the $550mn/ship mark.

Well apparently PN is on the verge of ordering 3 or 4 Type-214s for $1.9bn USD (1.3bn Euro)...we'll have to see if the 4 FFG can be bought for that much as well. I guess the high Euro cost would have be justified with at least FREMM's weapon-systems, sensors, radar, etc...and tech transfer to produce all 4 ships in Pakistan. Though R&D cost could go down if Saudi Arabia, Greece and Algeria buy FM400/FREMM.

I think for the 4 FFG they will have a tender and then get the best in terms of price weapons etc.

Yeah it will likely follow the same conventions as the SSK and corvette tenders...although the corvette one has not been put on stone, PN is inclined/tilted towards the Turkish MILGEM.

http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/p/2008-03-12/0737489674.html

A chinese magazine just revealed the price for a 054A is 200 million USD. I think this is a better choice.

Sounds like a lot of frigate for not too much money. Did the article say what that price included?

No, just said the ship's price is 200 million USD

what a ######!!!! i thought navy bought french frigates!!!!

that's pretty much used everywhere, but I think that price is actually for domestic consumption. There is no way they export something like F-22P for 120 million and doesn't at least double it for 054A.

also factor in the weapons, which could actually add another 50-100 million easily