The Suffren class were two anti-air frigates of the French Navy, designed to protect a fleet against air threats, surface ships, and submarines. They were the first French ships to be built specifically as guided missile frigates. Ordered in 1960, the class was intended to be more numerous, but budget pressure from the French nuclear weapons program limited their number. The lead ship, , entered service in 1967 and the second ship, , in 1970. They remained in service until the 2000s when they were replaced by ships of the . Background and description The two ships were designed as anti-air and anti-submarine escorts for the s and were similar in concept to the British Type 82 destroyer. They were ordered in 1960 as part of France's new naval policy of deterrence/intervention/defence following the election of Charles de Gaulle as president of France. The French designation for the class was frégates lance-engins (FLE 60). They were designated as frigates by the French Navy but were considered destroyers by publications. They were later re-designated frégates lance-missiles (FLM 60). The vessels measured long overall and between perpendiculars, with a beam and a maximum draught of . The had a standard displacement of and at full load. By 1990 the ships had a standard displacement of and at full load. The ships were powered by four multi-tube, automatic control boilers capable of at creating steam for two sets of Rateau double-reduction geared turbines turning two propellers. They were rated at . They created a total of 3,440 kW of electrical power through two 1,000 kW turbochargers and three 480 kW diesel alternators. They had a maximum speed of and a range of at . The frigates had a complement of 355 sailors including 23 officers. For increased stabilisation as a weapons platform, the frigates were outfitted with three pairs of non-retractable fin stabilisers. They were considered extremely seaworthy vessels. The Suffren class were armed with a twin launcher situated on the quarterdeck for the Masurca surface-to-air missile. 48 missiles were carried. The Mark 2 Mod 3 Masurca missiles had a range of and carried a warhead. The frigates were also equipped with two single-mounted Modèle 1953 naval guns in positions 'A' and 'B' along the centreline. These were later upgraded to the Modèle 1964. The dual-purpose guns could fire an anti-surface shell with a warhead of or an anti-air shell . The guns