Morocco orders two frigates to French shipyard

Morocco struck a deal with the French holding "Alstom" for the construction of two frigates that will patrol the Moroccan fishing areas.

The Floreal class frigates, to be built by Alstom's branch "Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique," will be similar to the frigates used by the French Navy. They will be 93 meter long and 14 meter wide and can embark a helicopter and a 120-member crew, a release by Alstom said.

The two frigates will be built at Saint-Nazaire, western France, and will be delivered 24 and 30 months respectively after the enforcement of the contract. The frigates construction will necessitate nearly 1 million work hours at the shipyard.

The contract was signed last week in Rabat.