[1] Their primary role was to provide air cover for a fleet, an aeronaval group, a convoy & a littoral point.

Their secondary role was to manage air assets coordination & aircraft control for the force, especially through Link 16.They can also be used for research, identification or presence missions.

[citation needed] The Cassard-class frigate was initially designed to replace the four T 47-class anti-air warfare vessels in service at the time.

The hot exhaust from the Olympus turbines found on the Georges Leygues class was thought to be incompatible with the numerous arrays required in the new design.

[2] The Cassard class were powered by four SEMT Pielstick 18 PA6V 280 BTC diesels creating a sustained 32,200 kW (43,200 hp) driving two shafts.

The missiles have semi-active radar homing out to 46 km (29 mi) at Mach 2 with a ceiling limit of 18,288 m (60,000 ft).

The MM40 Exocet missiles are sea-skimmers with a warhead of 165 kg (364 lb) and have a range of 70 km (43 mi) at Mach 0.9.

[3] The Cassard class was armed with a Creusot-Loire Compact 100 mm (3.9 in)/55 Mod 68 DP gun.