It's basically a very modernized La Fayette French design using a smaller superstructure and an enclosed mass for significant RCS reduction. Built in France, they are steel hulls and superstructure, which is also an improvement over the La Fayettes.
Uses an advanced Thales multi-function radar and combat system...not AEGIS or PAAMS PARS, but very good. Eight Haproon missiles for long range anti-surface, thirty-two Aster 15 AAW missiles from four, eight-cell VLS, torpedoes, a 76 mm dual purpose, rapid fire gun, and a S-70 helo for anti-submarine work.
Very good frigates, probably only surpassed by the Korean KDX-II and KDX-III AEGIS vessels and the Japanese Kongo and Atego AEGIS vessels...and maybe, just maybe the new Chinese Lanzhou class guided-missile destroyers with their integrated combat system and PARS...in all of Southeast Asia. But I bet these vessels would give the Chinese vessels a real run for their money...and the Chinese currently only have two of their new vessels while there are six of these.
The KDX-III ships are 100% badass.
The Formidable class cannot be compared with the larger anti-air ships with the AEGIS system or the new Chinese Type-052C class.They are small patrol frigates with only a defensive anti-air capability with primarily an anti-sub role.Their complement is pretty interesing at only about 85 persons-far lower than any ship it’s size.The Korean KD-II class is better armed,but I wouldn’t say it’s more advanced.