De Grasse (D 612)

The "De Grasse" is a F67 type large high-sea frigate of the French "Marine Nationale" specialised in anti-submarine warfare, though it also has anti-air and anti-surface capabilities. She is the second French warship named after the 18th Century admiral count François Joseph Paul de Grasse.

Between 1994 and 1996, the "De Grasse" (and the "Tourville") was refitted with the modern SLAMS anti-submarine system, an active Very Low Frequencies sonar.

In April 2006, the "De Grasse" lost her towed sonar array during an exercise in heavy sea. The incident was reported by the "Canard Enchaîné"; an investigation was launched to ascertain responsibilities for the loss of the 3 million euro worth sonar array. Meanwhile, the spare sonar of the decommissioned "Duguay-Trouin" was fitted on the "De Grasse".

The three ships of the class are
*D610 "Tourville"
*D611 "Duguay-Trouin" (decommissioned in 1999)
*D612 "De Grasse"