Between 1994 and 1996, Tourville and De Grasse were refitted with the modern SLASM anti-submarine system, and active Very Low Frequency (VLF) sonar.

A Malafon anti-submarine missile system was fitted when the ships were built but this was removed during refits in the late 1980s.

Additionally, they were well-regarded for their seakeeping, serving much of their careers in the Atlantic rather than with France's Mediterranean fleet.

[1] The three ships of the class, D612 De Grasse, D611 Duguay-Trouin and D610 Tourville, are named major figures from French naval history.

De Grasse and Tourville were French admirals and Duguay-Trouin coming to fame as a privateer.