could fire 80 rounds per minute. The frigates also mounted a Malafon anti-submarine missile system. Each ship carried 13 missiles and the magazine was situated in the aft deckhouse. 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. Each ship carried ten torpedoes. They were the first French warships to deploy torpedoes using fixed catapults. Fire control was via the DRBI 23 3D radar for air search/tracking housed in a massive radome that dominated the ship's silhouette. The Suffren class also mounted DRBN 32, DRBV 50, two DRBR 51 and DRBC 32A radars. For anti-submarine warfare, they were equipped with DUBV 23 hull-mounted sonar and DUBV 43 towed variable depth sonar. For electronic defence, the vessels initially mounted the Syllex chaff system. The SENIT I tactical data system coordinated sensor data. Modifications In 1977 to 1979, the MM38 Exocet anti-ship missile system was fitted to the ships. Each ship carried four missiles. The Masuraca system was upgraded between 1982–1985. In 1985, Duquesne had its DRBV 50 radar replaced with the advanced DRBV 15 system. Suffren underwent the same radar swap-out in 1989–1990 while also having its DRBC 32A gunfire control radar replaced with the newer DRBC 33A system. Furthermore during that refit, the Syllex outfit was replaced with the Dagaie and Sagaie electronic countermeasures systems. Additionally four single-mounted cannon were fitted two to each side of the ship abaft the DRBC 33A radar. Duquesne was similarly modernised beginning in 1990. Ships Construction and career The two ships of the class were both named after French admirals. Three ships were initially planned with more in a follow-on group, but budgetary constraints caused by building the nuclear deterrent submarines caused the programme to be terminated at two ships. 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. In 1975, when the Clemenceaus were transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet, the Suffrens went with them and were based at Toulon. Suffrens service-life extension refit was delayed due to the ship's deployments to the Persian Gulf during the Iran–Iraq War. Suffrens refit took place from 1989 to 1990. Duquesne underwent its service-life extension refit from 1990 to 1991. Duquesne underwent a further refit in September 1998 to July 1999. Suffren