Moroccan frigate Mohammed VI

Mohammed VI (701) (Arabic: محمد السادس) is a FREMM multipurpose frigate of the Royal Moroccan Navy.^[1][2]

Mohammed VI underway in the Atlantic Ocean on 25 April 2018
History
Morocco
Name	Mohammed VI (محمد السادس)
Namesake	Mohammed VI of Morocco
Ordered	24 October 2007
Builder	DCNS, Lorient
Laid down	2008
Launched	14 September 2011
Commissioned	30 January 2014
Homeport	Ksar es-Seghir
Identification	MMSI number: 228706000 Pennant number: 701
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class and type	FREMM multipurpose frigate
Displacement	6,000 tons
Length	466 ft (142.0 m)
Beam	65 ft (19.8 m)
Draught	16 ft (4.9 m)
Propulsion	MTU Series 4000 (2,2 MW everyone) CODLOG
Speed	27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph); max cruise speed 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph)
Range	6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement	145
Sensors and processing systems	Héraklès multi-purpose passive electronically scanned array radar
Armament	16-cell MBDA SYLVER A43 VLS for 16 MBDA Aster 15 missiles 1 × Leonardo OTO Melara 76 mm SR gun 3 × Nexter 20mm Narwhal remote weapon systems 8 × MBDA MM-40 Exocet block 3 anti-ship missiles 2 x double Leonardo (WASS) B-515 launcher for MU 90 torpedoes
Aviation facilities	Single hangar

Development and design

Three original variants of the FREMM were proposed; an anti-submarine variant (ASW), a general-purpose variant (GP), and a land-attack variant (AVT) to replace the existing classes of frigates within the French and Italian navies. A total of 27 FREMM were to be constructed - 17 for France and 10 for Italy - with additional aims to seek exports, however budget cuts and changing requirements has seen this number drop significantly for France, while the order for Italy remained unchanged. The land-attack variant (AVT) was subsequently cancelled.

On 24 October 2007 it was announced that the Royal Moroccan Navy had ordered one FREMM to replace its Descubierta-class corvette.^[3] The contract was signed on 18 April 2008 and construction of the Moroccan FREMM began in the summer 2008 with delivery expected in 2012 or 2013.^[4] The Moroccan ship is similar to the French anti-submarine version, without SYLVER A70 tubes for SCALP Naval, and cost €470m.^[5]

Construction and career

Mohammed VI is the largest and most powerful frigate in Africa (with the Egyptian frigate Tahya Misr, of the same class). Mohammed VI was launched on 14 September 2011 and handed over on 30 January 2014.^[5] The ship was commissioned on 30 January 2014.^[5] Her homeport is Ksar es-Seghir.