View source for Horizon-class frigate

{{Short description|Class of air-defence destroyers in service with the French and Italian navies.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| sclass = 2
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = French destroyer Forbin (D620) underway in the Arabian Sea on 31 May 2009 (090531-N-9988F-406).jpg
| Ship caption = French destroyer ''Forbin'', lead ship of the Horizon class
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = Horizon class
| Builders = Horizon Sas ([[Naval Group|DCNS]], [[Thales Group|Thales]], [[Fincantieri]], Finmeccanica – [[Leonardo-Finmeccanica]] since 2016), [[Leonardo S.p.A.|Leonardo]] since 2017
| Operators = * {{navy|France}}
* {{navy|Italy}}
| Class before = * {{sclass|Suffren|frigate|4}}&nbsp;(France)
* {{sclass|Durand de la Penne|destroyer|4}}&nbsp;(Italy)
| Class after =
| Subclasses =
| Cost = * France: [[Euro|€]]1.08 [[billion]] per unit (FY 2013)<ref name=Francebudget2012 />
* Italy: [[Euro|€]]1.5 [[billion]] per unit (FY 2016)
| Built range = 2002–2007
| In service range = Since 2008
| In commission range = Since 2007
| Total ships building =
| Total ships planned = 8
| Total ships completed = 4
| Total ships cancelled = 4
| Total ships active = 4
| Total ships laid up =
| Total ships lost =
| Total ships retired =
| Total ships preserved =
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header =
| Header caption =
| Ship type = [[Destroyer]]
| Ship displacement = * {{convert|7,050|t|abbr=on}}, full load<ref name=gs.org>{{cite web|title=Project Horizon|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/horizon.htm|publisher=Globalsecurity.org|access-date=1 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922030106/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/horizon.htm|archive-date=22 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{convert|5,290|t|abbr=on}}, light displacement
| Ship length = * {{convert|152.87|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[length overall|LOA]]
* {{convert|141.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} [[length between perpendiculars|LPP]]
| Ship beam = {{convert|20.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught = * {{convert|5.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}
* depth {{convert|11.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship power =
| Ship propulsion = * [[CODOG]] scheme
** 2 × [[GE Aviation|GE]]/[[Avio S.p.A.|Avio]] [[General Electric LM2500]]Plus [[Turbo air guide|TAG]], {{convert|20.500|kW|hp|abbr=on}} each
** 2 × diesel engines [[SEMT Pielstick]] 12PA6 STC {{convert|4.320|kW|hp|abbr=on}} each
** 4 × diesel engine generators [[Isotta Fraschini]] V1716T2ME, {{convert|1.600|kW|hp|abbr=on}} each
** 2 × shaft
** 1 × bow thruster
| Ship speed = In excess of {{convert|29|kn|lk=in}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/decouverte/equipements-moyens-materiel-militaire/batiments-de-combat/fregates/defense-aerienne-type-horizon/forbin-d-620 |title=Forbin (D620) |publisher=Marine Nationale |language=Fr |access-date=1 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531101616/http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/decouverte/equipements-moyens-materiel-militaire/batiments-de-combat/fregates/defense-aerienne-type-horizon/forbin-d-620 |archive-date=31 May 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Ship range = * {{convert|6100|nmi|km|lk=in|-3}} at {{convert|18|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}
* {{convert|3500|nmi|km|-1|abbr=on}} at {{convert|25|kn|km/h|0}}
| Ship endurance =
| Ship troops =
| Ship complement = Italia: 255 in 1, 2 or 4 beds for cabin
| Ship crew = Italia: 236, of which: 195 based-crew + 13 flight staff + 18 others
| Ship time to activate =
| Ship sensors = * [[Leonardo-Finmeccanica|Selex ES]] [[EMPAR]] [[Phased array]] [[G band (NATO)|G band]] multi-purpose radar
* BAE/[[Thales Group]] [[S1850M]] long range radar
* [[Thales Group]] UMS 4110 CL sonar
* (Only Italian units:) surface search [[radar]] in [[E band (NATO)|E]]/[[F band (NATO)|F band]] [[SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems|Selex]] RAN 30X/I (RASS)
* [[Leonardo-Finmeccanica|Selex ES]] IFF SIR R/S
* GEM Elettronica navigation radar AN/SPN753(V)4
* 2 × [[Leonardo-Finmeccanica|Selex ES]] RTN-30X fire direction radar
* [[Sagem]] IRST Vampir MB (IRAS)
| Ship EW = * Elettronica Spa 4100 Nettuno
* SIGEN EW
* 2 × [[OTO Melara]] ODLS-H decoy launching system
* 2 × SLAT anti torpedo system
| Ship armament = * ''Anti-air missiles:''
** [[PAAMS]] air-defence system.
** A 48-cell A50 [[Sylver Vertical Launching System]] for a mix of up-to 48×:
** [[Aster (missile family)|Aster 15]] missiles (range 1.7–30&nbsp;km)
** [[Aster (missile family)|Aster 30]] missiles (range 3–120&nbsp;km)
* ''Anti-ship missiles:''
** 8 × [[Exocet#MM40 Block 3|Exocet MM40 Block 3]]  (France)
** 8 × [[Otomat|TESEO]] Mk-2/A (Italy)
* ''Guns & CIWS:''
** 2 × [[OTO Melara 76 mm]] Super Rapid guns (France)
** 3 × [[OTO Melara 76 mm]] Super Rapid guns with Davide/Strales system (Italy)
** [''1 × Sadral [[Mistral (missile)|Mistral]] CIWS''] "for but not with" (France)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alabordache.fr/marine/espacemarine/marine/fregate_rang_1/forbin/presentation.php |title=Frégate Forbin |publisher=Alabordache.fr |language=fr |access-date=1 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113154842/http://www.alabordache.fr/marine/espacemarine/marine/fregate_rang_1/forbin/presentation.php |archive-date=13 January 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alabordache.fr/marine/espacemarine/marine/fregate_rang_1/chevalierpaul/presentation.php |title=Frégate Chevalier Paul |publisher=Alabordache.fr |language=Fr |access-date=1 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014231855/http://www.alabordache.fr/marine/espacemarine/marine/fregate_rang_1/chevalierpaul/presentation.php |archive-date=14 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
** 2 × [[OTO Melara]] 25/80 gun with [[Oerlikon KBA]] 25mm (Italy) ''or'',
** 3 × [[20 mm Narwhal remotely-operated gun]]s (France)<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/narwhal-deux-nouveaux-batiments-francais-equipes | title=Narwhal : Deux nouveaux bâtiments français équipés| date=June 2018}}</ref>
** Italy: 2 × [[LRAD]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20161220042902/http://www.sitepitalia.it/index.php/products/security/mass-cs-424-v-multirole-acoustic-stabilized-system Sitep MS-424]
* ''Anti-submarine warfare:''
** 2 × [[Leonardo-Finmeccanica|WASS]] B515/1 single torpedo tubes for [[MU90 Impact]] (with 24 torpedoes stored)
| Ship armour =
| Ship aircraft = 1 × [[AgustaWestland_AW101|AW101]] or [[NH90|SH90A]]
| Ship aircraft facilities = * Flight deck, {{convert|24.8|x|16.0|m|ft|abbr=on}}
* Hangar for one [[AgustaWestland_AW101|AW101]] or [[NH90|NH90 Caïman]]
| Ship notes =
}}
|}

The '''Horizon class''' (French: '''Classe Horizon'''; Italian: '''Classe Orizzonte''') is a [[Ship class|class]] of [[Anti-aircraft warfare|air-defence]] [[destroyer]]s in service with the [[French Navy|French]] and [[Italian Navy|Italian]] navies. They are designated as destroyers by the Italians<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/thefleet/home/Pagine/launcherdestr.aspx | title=Destroyer – Marina Militare }}</ref> and are referred to as "frigates" by the French but nonetheless also use the [[NATO]] classification "D" intended for destroyers. The programme started as the '''Common New Generation Frigate (CNGF)''', a three-nation collaboration between [[France]], the [[United Kingdom]], and [[Italy]] to develop a new generation of air-defence warships.<ref name=navaltech>{{cite web|title=Horizon Class|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/horizon2/|publisher=naval-technology.com|access-date=1 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316214126/http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/horizon2/|archive-date=16 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Differing national requirements, workshare disagreements and delays led to the UK withdrawing from the project in 1999 to develop the [[Type 45 destroyer]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Alexander |last=Nicoll|title= National differences scupper frigate project|work= Financial Times |date=27 April 1999}}</ref>

The [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]] were built using the same company structure as the Horizon project.

==Development==
{{Further|NFR-90}}
[[France]], [[Italy]], and the [[United Kingdom|UK]] issued a joint requirement in 1992 after the failure of the [[NFR-90|NATO Frigate Replacement for the 90s]] (NFR-90) project. In July 1993, the three countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Common New Generation Frigate (CNGF).<ref>{{cite news |title=Project to build warship agreed |work=Financial Times |location=London |date=17 July 1993}}</ref> The ships were to be armed with the [[PAAMS|Principal Anti Air Missile System]] (PAAMS). The UK intended to purchase twelve ships to replace its [[Type 42 destroyer]]s. France was to purchase four to replace its {{sclass|Suffren|frigate|4}}, and Italy would purchase six to replace its {{sclass|Andrea Doria|cruiser|5}} and {{sclass|Audace|destroyer|0||1971}} ships.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Gray |first=Bernard |date=23 March 1996 |title=Britain, France and Italy agree £7bn frigate deal |work=Financial Times |location=London}}</ref>

Problems emerged almost immediately. The primary problem was that of differing requirements: France wanted [[anti-aircraft warfare]] (AAW) escorts for its [[aircraft carrier]]s, but only a limited range was necessary due to the self-defence capability of the French {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle||2}}. Italy too required only close-range capabilities, as in its home waters of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] the ships would operate under [[Italian Air Force]] cover or escorts for its aircraft carrier {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Cavour|550|2}}. The [[Royal Navy]], however, required more capable ships which could throw a large defensive "bubble" over a fleet operating in hostile areas.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gray |first=Bernard |date=23 March 1996 |title=Eurofrigate planned for a new world of regional conflicts |work=Financial Times |location=London}}</ref> The compromise that largely solved this problem was the adoption of a standard radar interface, which allowed France and Italy to install the [[EMPAR]] multi-function [[passive electronically scanned array]] radar and the UK to install the more capable [[SAMPSON]] [[active electronically scanned array]] radar—the SAMPSON radar has a higher data rate and an adaptive beam that allows a greater ability to track multiple targets, long-range detection of low-RCS targets, a lower false-alarm rate, and overall higher tracking accuracy.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Dranidis |first=Dimitris V.|date=May 2003 |title=Backboards of the fleet: shipboard phased-array radars; a survey of requirements, technologies, and operational systems |journal=Journal of Electronic Defense|volume= 26|issue=5 |pages=55 }}</ref>

In March 1996, it was agreed that the PAAMS office would be based in Paris, and the Project Horizon project office would be based in London. The latter was to be responsible for the design of the ship, its command and control, and secondary weapons systems. Britain also agreed to contribute £100m in recognition of the development work already completed by Italy and France on PAAMS.<ref name=":0" /> Construction would be carried out by [[Naval Group|DCN]] (France), [[GEC-Marconi]] (UK), and Orizzonte (Italy).<ref name=":0" />

===UK withdrawal===
On 26 April 1999, the UK announced that it was withdrawing from the CNGF project to pursue its own national design. At this point, the CNGF project was five years behind schedule.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nicoll |first1=Alexander |last2=Owen |first2=David |date=27 April 1999 |title=European warship project collapses as UK withdraws |work=Financial Times |location=London}}</ref> The ''[[Financial Times]]'' summarised the main disagreements between the partner countries:<ref>{{Cite news|first=Alexander |last=Nicoll|title= National differences scupper frigate project|work= Financial Times |date=27 April 1999 }}</ref>
* Vessel size – As noted above, the UK's requirements were out of step with those of France and Italy. An agreement was reached but the Financial Times reported that the issue "never entirely [went] away."
* Capability – The UK wanted the ships with a wide-area defence capability due to its experience in the Falklands War.
* Industrial structure – The UK tried to use its larger requirement to exert influence; the UK's desire to see Marconi appointed as prime contractor was accepted by France, but only in return for DCN being given the role as prime contractor for the combat management system. The UK, which wished to see a [[British Aerospace]]-led consortium given this role, would not accept this.

The resulting [[Type 45 destroyer]] is armed with the [[PAAMS]] missile system and has benefited from investment in the Horizon project.

===Franco-Italian project===
[[File:Nave Caio Duilio.jpg|thumb|left|Italian ''Caio Duilio'']]
France and Italy continued their collaboration under the Horizon project. In September 2000, the two countries signed a contract to jointly produce four ships, ordering two ships each which would deploy the PAAMS missile system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-65508836.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161944/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-65508836.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=France, Italy Sign Agreement To Design, Build Four Horizon Frigates|work=Defense Daily|date=26 September 2000|access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> The [[Italian Navy]] ordered two units, {{ship|Italian destroyer|Andrea Doria|D 553|2}} and {{ship|Italian destroyer|Caio Duilio|D 554|2}}, to replace the ''Audace'' class. ''Andrea Doria'' was accepted on 22 December 2007 and received the flag of the Italian Navy. Full operation capability was achieved in the summer of 2008. The [[French Navy]] ordered two units, {{ship|French frigate|Forbin|D620|2}} and {{ship|French frigate|Chevalier Paul|D621|2}}, to replace the ''Suffren''-class carrier escorts. The project cost France €2.16bn (~US$3bn) at 2009 prices.<ref name=Francebudget2012>{{Cite web | url=http://www.senat.fr/rap/a12-150-8/a12-150-815.html#toc290 | title=Projet de loi de finances pour 2013 : Défense : équipement des forces | language=fr | publisher=Senate of France | date=22 November 2012 | access-date=1 June 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326234111/http://www.senat.fr/rap/a12-150-8/a12-150-815.html#toc290 | archive-date=26 March 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> A further two Horizons were cancelled; instead, the two {{sclass|Cassard|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s were to be replaced by the FREDA air-defence variant of the Franco-Italian [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]] (later known as {{ship|French frigate|Alsace||2}} and {{ship|French frigate|Lorraine||2}}). France bought 40 [[Aster (missile family)|Aster 15]] and 80 [[Aster (missile family)|Aster 30]] missiles for their ships.<ref name=Francebudget2012 /> On the Italian units, the three cannons will be upgraded to the 76 mm/62 Super Rapid Multi Feeding David/Strales version with the capacity to use the DART guided projectile in the anti-missile role.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.leonardocompany.com/documents/63265270/66958362/body_STRALES_2013_1.pdf |title=Strales Guidance System for 76mm and DART Ammunition |publisher=OTO Melara |access-date=29 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816163431/http://www.leonardocompany.com/documents/63265270/66958362/body_STRALES_2013_1.pdf |archive-date=16 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Ships ==
{| class=" wikitable"
|-
! Name
! [[Pennant number|Pennant<br />number]]
! Builder
! Laid down
! Launched
! Commissioned
! Status
! Motto
|-
!colspan="8" | {{navy|France}}
|-
| {{ship|French frigate|Forbin||2}}
|align="center"| D620
|rowspan="2" align="center"| [[DCNS (company)|DCNS]]<br />[[Lorient]]
|align="center"| 4 April 2002
|align="center"| 10 March 2005
|align="center"| December 2008
|align="center"| In service
|align="center"| ''Opra Sac Di Sou Kraam''
|-
| {{ship|French frigate|Chevalier Paul||2}}
|align="center"| D621
|align="center"| 23 October 2003
|align="center"| 12 July 2006
|align="center"| June 2009
|align="center"| In service
|align="center"| ''Oser et Vaincre''
|-
!colspan=8 | {{navy|Italy}}
|-
| {{ship|Italian destroyer|Andrea Doria||2}}
|align="center"| D 553
|rowspan="2" align="center"| [[Fincantieri]]<br />[[Riva Trigoso]]<br />and [[Muggiano]]<br /> ([[province of La Spezia|La Spezia]])
|align="center"| 19 July 2002
|align="center"| 15 October 2005
|align="center"| 22 December 2007
|align="center"| In service
|align="center"| ''Altius Tendam''
|-
| {{ship|Italian destroyer|Caio Duilio||2}}
|align="center"| D 554
|align="center"| 19 September 2003
|align="center"| 23 October 2007
|align="center"| 3 April 2009
|align="center"| In service
|align="center"| ''Nomen numen''
|}

==See also==
* {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}}
* {{sclass|Kolkata|destroyer|1}}
* {{sclass|Atago|destroyer|1}}
* {{sclass|Sejong the Great|destroyer|1}}
* [[Type 052D destroyer]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Classe Horizon}}
* {{in lang|it}} [https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/notizie/Pagine/20090505_spezia.aspx Programma Orizzonte] – [[Marina Militare]] specifications and pictures
* {{in lang|en}} [http://digilander.libero.it/en_mezzi_militari/html/en_andrea_doria.html Specification, history and photo of Andrea Doria and Caio Duilio]
* {{in lang|en}} [http://www.leonardocompany.com/en/-/nona-decima-fremm-ninth-tenth-fremm-frigate The FREMM program for the Italian Navy is now complete]

{{Portal bar|Italy|France|Engineering}}
{{Horizon class frigate (France)}}
{{French Navy Vehicle}}
{{Orizzonte class destroyer}}
{{Ship classes of the Marina Militare|noshipclass=yes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Horizon Class Frigate}}
[[Category:Horizon-class frigates| ]]
[[Category:Frigate classes]]
[[Category:Ship classes of the French Navy]]
[[Category:Stealth ships]]