The Suffren class were two anti-air frigates of the French Navy, designed to protect a fleet against air threats, surface ships, and submarines.

Ordered in 1960, the class was intended to be more numerous, but budget pressure from the French nuclear weapons program limited their number.

The two ships were designed as anti-air and anti-submarine escorts for the Clemenceau-class aircraft carriers and were similar in concept to the British Type 82 destroyer.

[4][5] The ships were powered by four multi-tube, automatic control boilers capable of 45 kg/cm2 (640 psi) at 450 °C (842 °F) creating steam for two sets of Rateau double-reduction geared turbines turning two propellers.

[4] The Suffren class were armed with a twin launcher situated on the quarterdeck for the Masurca surface-to-air missile.

The Mark 2 Mod 3 Masurca missiles had a range of 30 nmi (56 km; 35 mi) and carried a 98-kilogram (216 lb) warhead.

Furthermore, the Suffren class had four launchers for L5 torpedoes, two to each side of the ship, housed in the deckhouse between the mast and the bridge.

[1] Fire control was via the DRBI 23 3D radar for air search/tracking housed in a massive radome that dominated the ship's silhouette.

Additionally four single-mounted 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon were fitted two to each side of the ship abaft the DRBC 33A radar.

They accompanied the Clemenceau-class aircraft carriers on deployments and as a result were based with them as part of the French Atlantic Fleet upon entering service.

[1][5] Suffren's service-life extension refit was delayed due to the ship's deployments to the Persian Gulf during the Iran–Iraq War.