According to French financial newspaper La Tribune Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, could sign a letter of intent (LOI) with the French Government for 6 FREMMs during his visit in Paris in early September. French Navy's FREMM multi-mission frigates are designed and built by DCNS. Five hulls have already been launched, with three Frigates delivered to the French Navy and one to the Royal Moroccan Navy.

Contacted by Navy Recognition, no DCNS representatives were available to comment the information at the time of publishing.

The information would confirm however that Saudi Arabia is currently seeking to increase its naval power. The Saudi Navy is currently upgrading its fleet through contracts and programs signed with the French naval defence company:
» The LEX contract relates to the maintenance of 4 Madina-class frigates (frigates 2000) and two Boraida-class replenishment oilers built in the frame of the Sawari1 program.
» The ERAV contract covers the maintenance of 3 Al Riyadh-class frigates (frigates 3000) delivered in the frame of the Sawari 2 programme.
» The AMWAJ contract relates to support to the Royal Saudi Navy in terms of spare-parts supply and technical assistance.

There were also unconfirmed rumors earlier this year about negotiations between Germany and Saudi Arabia for the delivery of a large number of patrol boats as well as submarines.

Should the sale of 6 FREMM Frigates to Saudi Arabia be confirmed, this would relieve some of the pressure on the next French defense budget (loi de programmation militaire) because part of the 6 Frigates would likely be picked from the current assembly line destined for the French Navy. Delivery of the first vessels to the Royal Saudi Navy would, as a consequence, be pretty quick.

Designed and built by DCNS, FREMM type Frigates are heavily armed: MM40 Blk III Exocet anti-ship missiles, Aster anti-air missiles and MU90 torpedoes. With the French Navy, the first nine frigates will predominantly conduct anti-submarine warfare missions, while the last two frigates, specialised in anti-aircraft warfare, are designed to protect a carrier or amphibious battle group against aircraft and missiles. All FREMM can also accommodate the Caïman Marine helicopter (NH90 NFH), as well as Special Forces and their equipment.

In November 2012, DCNS successfully delivered the FREMM Aquitaine, the first unit in the series of FREMM multi-mission frigates. The second unit in the program, the FREMM Mohammed VI, was delivered to the Royal Moroccan Navy on 30 January 2014.

DCNS is currently building five other multi-mission frigates in Lorient, all at different stages of advancement:

- The FREMM Normandie, third unit in the series and the second for the French Navy, started its sea trials in October 2013 and will be delivered to the French Navy at the end of 2014;
- The FREMM Provence was floated in September 2013 and will perform its first sea outing in the third quarter of 2014;
- The FREMM Languedoc was floated in July 2014;
- 2 other FREMMs are currently under construction.