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{{Short description|Type of warship}}
{{about|the warship|the bird|Frigatebird|other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2020}}
[[File:Nave Bergamini 3 (cropped).JPG|thumb|[[Italian frigate Carlo Bergamini (F 590)|''Carlo Bergamini'' (F 590)]] is the [[lead ship]] of the ''Carlo Bergamini''-class frigate of the [[Italian Navy]], developed from the [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]] program.]]
[[File:La-fregate-de-18-la-penelope-1802-1816-par-francois-roux-18772.jpg|thumb|''Penelope'', a French sailing frigate in 1802]]
[[File:ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko.jpg|thumb|[[Polish Navy]] {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|2}} [[ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko|ORP ''Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko'']]]]
A '''frigate''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|r|ɪ|ɡ|ɪ|t}}) is a type of [[warship]]. 

In different eras, the roles and capabilities of ships classified as frigates have varied. In the 17th to early 18th centuries the term 'frigate' was loosely given to any [[full-rigged ship]] built for speed and maneuverability and intended for scouting, escort or patrol. By the second quarter of the 18th century, what is regarded as the 'true frigate' was developed in France and subsequently copied by other navies. This type of vessel was characterised by a long sleek design with a single [[gun deck]] of 28 and 36 cannons, and an unarmed deck below used for berthing the crew. 

In the mid-nineteenth century the definition of ''frigate'' was expanded to include the early [[ironclad warship]]s, which also had a single gun deck. However, later developments in ironclad ships rendered the designation obsolete and the term fell out of favour in navies worldwide.

The term was reintroduced in the [[Second World War]] to describe a seagoing [[Ocean escort|escort ship]] of intermediate size between a [[corvette]] and a [[destroyer]]. After the war, this definition has gradually expanded to include many different kinds of vessels, from large ocean-going [[anti-submarine warfare]] ships to corvettes, destroyers, and nuclear-powered guided-missile [[cruiser]]s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Husseini|first=Talal|date=2019-04-24|title=Frigate vs destroyer: What is the difference between the two warships?|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/features/frigate-vs-destroyer-difference/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-30|website=www.naval-technology.com|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419075926/https://www.naval-technology.com/features/frigate-vs-destroyer-difference/}}</ref> 

==Etimology==
The etymology of the word (Italian: ''fregata''; Dutch: ''fregat''; Spanish/Catalan/Portuguese/Sicilian: ''fragata''; French: ''frégate'') remains uncertain, although it may have originated as a [[corruption (linguistic)|corruption]] of ''[[Wikt:aphractus|aphractus]]'', a [[Latin]] word for an open vessel with no lower deck. ''Aphractus'', in turn, derived from the [[Ancient Greek]] phrase ἄφρακτος ναῦς (''aphraktos naus'') – "undefended ship"{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for etymology.|date=June 2021}}.

==Age of sail==
===Origins===
The term ''frigate''  originated in the [[Mediterranean]] in the late 15th century, referring to a lighter [[galley]]-type warship with oars, sails and a light armament, built for speed and maneuverability.<ref name="Henderson">Henderson, James: ''Frigates Sloops & Brigs''. Pen & Sword Books, London, 2005. {{ISBN|1-84415-301-0}}.</ref> The first recorded usage of the term seems to date from 1562, when [[Alonso de Guzmán y Sotomayor, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia|Alonso Pérez, Duke of Medina Sidonia]] armed a galley fleet complemented with vessels called ''fragatas'' which were claimed to be invented by him. However, these frigates proved impractical and were retired soon.{{sfnp|Rodríguez González|2017|p=316-317}} The term was later used as an alternate name for the ''galizabra'', a kind of [[galleass]] built by [[Alonso de Bazán]] in 1584 as a cross between a galley and a [[zabra]].{{sfnp|Rodríguez González|2017|p=322}}
[[File:Frc3a9gate-c3a0-la-voile1.jpg|thumb|Light frigate, circa 1675–1680]]
In 1583, during the [[Eighty Years' War]] of 1568–1648, [[Habsburg Spain]] recovered the [[southern Netherlands]] from the Protestant rebels. This soon resulted in the use of the occupied ports as bases for [[privateers]], the "[[Dunkirker]]s", to attack the shipping of the Dutch and their allies. To achieve this the Dunkirkers developed small, maneuverable, sailing vessels that came to be referred to as frigates. The success of these Dunkirker vessels influenced the ship design of other navies contending with them, but because most regular navies required ships of greater endurance than the Dunkirker frigates could provide, the term soon came to apply less exclusively to any relatively fast and elegant sail-only warship. In French, the term ''frigate'' gave rise to a verb – ''frégater'', meaning 'to build long and low', and to an adjective, adding more confusion. Even the huge English {{ship|English ship|Sovereign of the Seas||2}} could be described as "a delicate frigate" by a contemporary after her upper decks were reduced in 1651.{{sfnp|Rodger|2004|p=216}}

The navy of the [[Dutch Republic]] became the first navy to build the larger ocean-going frigates. The Dutch navy had three principal tasks in the struggle against Spain: to protect Dutch merchant ships at sea, to blockade the ports of Spanish-held [[Flanders]] to damage trade and halt enemy [[privateering]], and to fight the Spanish fleet and prevent troop landings. The first two tasks required speed, shallowness of draft for the shallow waters around the Netherlands, and the ability to carry sufficient supplies to maintain a blockade. The third task required heavy armament, sufficient to stand up to the Spanish fleet. The first of the larger battle-capable frigates were built around 1600 at [[Hoorn]] in [[County of Holland|Holland]].<ref>Geoffrey Parker, ''The Military Revolution: Military Innovation and the Rise of the West 1500–1800'', p. 99</ref> By the later stages of the [[Eighty Years' War]] (1568–1648) the Dutch had switched entirely from the heavier ships still used by the English and Spanish to the lighter frigates, carrying around 40&nbsp;guns and weighing around 300&nbsp;tons.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In the 17th century, the term ''fregat'' in the [[Dutch Navy]] described any oceangoing warship carrying fewer than 40 guns.<ref name=allan2023>{{cite web | last=Allan | first=Philip K. | title=The Evolution of Frigates in the Age of Sail | website=U.S. Naval Institute | date=1 April 2023 | url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2023/april/evolution-frigates-age-sail | access-date=13 May 2025}}</ref> The effectiveness of the Dutch frigates became most evident in the [[Battle of the Downs]] in 1639, encouraging most other navies, especially the English, to adopt similar designs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Briggs |first=Robin |title=The Cambridge History of War |date=18 July 2025 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521874281 |location=Cambridge, UK |pages=366–386 |language=English}}</ref>

The fleets built by the [[Commonwealth of England]] in the 1650s generally consisted of ships described as "frigates", the largest of which were [[two-decker]] "great frigates" of the [[Third-rate|third rate]]. Carrying 60&nbsp;guns, these vessels were as big and capable as "great ships" of the time; however, most other frigates at the time were used as "[[cruiser]]s": independent fast ships. The term "frigate" implied a long [[Hull (watercraft)|hull]]-design, which relates directly to speed (see [[hull speed]]) and which also, in turn, helped the development of the [[Broadside (naval)|broadside]] tactic in naval warfare.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
[[File:La Boudeuse.jpg|thumb|{{Ship|French frigate|Boudeuse|1766|2}}, of [[Louis Antoine de Bougainville]]]]

At this time, a further design evolved, reintroducing oars and resulting in galley frigates such as {{HMS|Charles Galley|1676|6}} of 1676, which was rated as a 32-gun [[fifth-rate]] but also had a bank of 40 oars set below the upper deck that could propel the ship in the absence of a favorable wind. In Danish, the word "fregat" often applied to warships carrying as few as 16 guns, such as {{HMS|Falcon|1802|6}}, which the British classified as a sloop. Under the [[rating system of the Royal Navy]], by the middle of the 18th century, the term "frigate" was technically restricted to single-decked ships of the [[Fifth-rate|fifth rate]], though small 28-gun frigates were classed as [[Sixth-rate|sixth rate]].<ref name="Henderson"/>

===Classic design===
[[File:Lutine1.jpg|thumb|A {{sclass|Magicienne|frigate|1}}]]
[[File:Main batteries of Méduse-Garneray-IMG 4787-cropped.JPG|thumb|Gun deck of the {{sclass|Pallas|frigate|0||1808}} frigate {{ship|French frigate|Méduse|1810|2}}]]

The classic sailing frigate, or 'true frigate', well-known today for its role in the [[Napoleonic wars|Napoleonic Wars]], can be traced back to French developments in the second quarter of the 18th century. The French-built {{ship|French frigate|Médée|1741|2}} of 1740 is often regarded as the first example of this type. These ships were [[Square rig|square-rigged]] and carried all their main guns on a single continuous upper deck. The lower deck, known as the "gun deck", now carried no armament, and functioned as a "berth deck" where the crew lived, and was in fact placed below the [[waterline]] of the new frigates. The typical earlier cruiser had a partially armed lower deck, from which it was known as a 'half-battery' or ''demi-batterie'' ship. Removing the guns from this deck allowed the height of the hull upperworks to be lowered, giving the resulting 'true-frigate' much improved sailing qualities. The unarmed deck meant that the frigate's guns were carried comparatively high above the waterline; as a result, when seas were too rough for two-deckers to open their lower deck [[Gun port|gunports]], frigates were still able to fight with all their guns (see the [[action of 13 January 1797]], for an example when this was decisive).<ref name="Breen">{{cite journal |last1=Breen |first1=Colin |last2=Forsythe |first2=Wes |year=2007 |title=The French Shipwreck La Surveillante, Lost in Bantry Bay, Ireland, in 1797 |jstor=25617454 |journal=Historical Archaeology |volume=41 |issue=3 |pages=41–42|doi=10.1007/BF03377053 |s2cid=162814509 }}</ref>{{sfnp|Gardiner|Lavery|1992|pp=36–37}}

The [[Royal Navy]] captured a number of the new French frigates, including ''Médée'', during the [[War of the Austrian Succession]] (1740–1748) and the British were impressed by them, particularly for their inshore handling capabilities. They soon built copies (ordered in 1747), based on a French privateer named ''Tygre'', and started to adapt the type to their own needs, setting the standard for other frigates as the leading naval power. The first British frigates carried 28 guns including an upper deck battery of twenty-four 9-pounder guns (the remaining four smaller guns were carried on the [[quarterdeck]]) but soon developed into fifth-rate ships of 32 or 36 guns including an upper deck battery of twenty-six 12-pounder guns, with the remaining six or ten smaller guns carried on the quarterdeck and forecastle.{{sfnp|Gardiner|Lavery|1992|p=37}} Technically, 'rated ships' with fewer than 28&nbsp;guns could not be classed as frigates but as "[[post ship]]s"; however, in common parlance most post ships were often described as "frigates", the same casual misuse of the term being extended to smaller two-decked ships that were too small to stand in the line of battle.

A total of fifty-nine French sailing frigates were built between 1777 and 1790, with a standard design averaging a hull length of {{convert|135|ft|m|abbr=on}} and an average draught of {{convert|13|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The new frigates recorded sailing speeds of up to {{convert|14|kn|km/h mph}}, significantly faster than their predecessor vessels.<ref name="Breen"/>

===Heavy frigate===
[[File:HMS Trincomalee.jpg|thumb|{{HMS|Trincomalee}} (1817) a restored British 18-pounder, 38-gun heavy frigate]]
In 1778, the British Admiralty introduced a larger "heavy" frigate, with a main battery of twenty-six or twenty-eight 18-pounder guns (with smaller guns carried on the quarterdeck and forecastle). This move may reflect the naval conditions at the time; with both France and Spain as enemies, the usual British preponderance in ship numbers was no longer the case and there was pressure on the British to produce cruisers of individually greater force. In reply, the first French 18-pounder frigates were laid down in 1781. The 18-pounder frigate eventually became the standard frigate of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The British produced larger, 38-gun, and slightly smaller, 36-gun, versions and also a 32-gun design that can be considered an 'economy version'. The 32-gun frigates also had the advantage that they could be built by the many smaller, less-specialised shipbuilders.{{sfnp|Gardiner|Lavery |1992|p=39}}{{sfnp|Gardiner|2000|p=19}}

Frigates could (and usually did) additionally carry smaller carriage-mounted guns on their quarterdecks and [[forecastle]]s (the superstructures above the upper deck). In 1778 the [[Carron Company|Carron Iron Company]] of Scotland produced a naval gun which would revolutionise the armament of smaller naval vessels, including the frigate. The [[carronade]] was a large calibre, short-barrelled naval cannon which was light, quick to reload and needed a smaller crew than a conventional long gun. Due to its lightness it could be mounted on the forecastle and quarterdeck of frigates. It greatly increased the firepower, measured in weight of metal (the combined weight of all projectiles fired in one broadside), of these vessels. The disadvantages of the carronade were that it had a much shorter range and was less accurate than a long gun. The British quickly saw the advantages of the new weapon and soon employed it on a wide scale. The US Navy also copied the design soon after its appearance. The French and other nations eventually adopted variations of the weapon in succeeding decades. The typical heavy frigate had a main armament of 18-pounder long guns, plus 32-pounder carronades mounted on its upper decks.{{sfnp|Gardiner|Lavery|1992|p=153}}

===Super-heavy frigates===
[[File:USS Constitution underway, August 19, 2012 by Castle Island cropped.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Constitution}}]]
The first 'super-heavy frigates', armed with 24-pounder long guns, were built by the naval architect [[Fredrik Henrik af Chapman|F H Chapman]] for the Swedish navy in 1782. Because of a shortage of ships-of-the-line, the Swedes wanted these frigates, the ''Bellona'' class, to be able to stand in the battle line in an emergency. In the 1790s the French built a small number of large 24-pounder frigates, such as {{ship|French frigate|Forte|1794|2}} and ''Egyptienne'', they also cut-down (reduced the height of the hull to give only one continuous gun deck) a number of older ships-of-the-line (including {{ship|French ship|Diadème|1756|2}}) to produce super-heavy frigates; the resulting ship was known as a [[Razee|''rasée'']]. It is not known whether the French were seeking to produce very potent cruisers or merely to address stability problems in old ships. The British, alarmed by the prospect of these powerful heavy frigates, responded by rasée-ing three of their smaller 64-gun battleships, including {{HMS|Indefatigable|1784|2}}, which went on to have a very successful career as a frigate. At this time the British also built a few 24-pounder-armed large frigates, the most successful of which was {{HMS|Endymion|1797|6}} (1,277 tons).{{sfnp|Gardiner|2000|pp=40–42}}{{sfnp|Gardiner|Lavery|1992|p=40}}

In 1797, three of the [[United States Navy]]'s [[original six frigates of the United States Navy|first six major ships]] were rated as 44-gun frigates, which operationally carried fifty-six to sixty [[24-pounder long gun]]s and 32-pounder or 42-pounder carronades on two decks; they were exceptionally powerful. These ships were so large, at around 1,500 tons, and well-armed that they were often regarded as equal to ships of the line, and after a series of losses at the outbreak of the [[War of 1812]], secret [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] instructions ordered British frigates (usually rated at 38 guns or less) to never engage the large American frigates at any less than a 2:1 advantage. {{USS|Constitution}}, preserved as a [[museum ship]] by the US Navy, is the oldest commissioned warship afloat, and is a surviving example of a frigate from the [[Age of Sail]]. ''Constitution'' and her sister ships {{USS|President|1800|2}} and {{USS|United States|1797|2}} were created in a response to deal with the Barbary Coast pirates and in conjunction with the [[Naval Act of 1794]]. [[Joshua Humphreys]] proposed that only [[live oak]], a tree that grew only in America, should be used to build these ships.<ref name="Archibald, Roger 1997">Archibald, Roger. 1997. Six ships that shook the world. American Heritage of Invention & Technology 13, (2): 24.</ref>

The Admiralty, concerned by repeated defeats in single-ship actions, responded to the success of the American 44s in three ways. They built a class of conventional 40-gun, 24-pounder armed frigates on the lines of ''Endymion''. They cut down three old 74-gun Ships-of-the-Line into ''rasées'', producing frigates with a 32-pounder main armament, supplemented by 42-pounder carronades. These had an armament that far exceeded the power of the American ships. Finally, {{HMS|Leander|1813|2}} and {{HMS|Newcastle|1813|2}}, 1,500-ton spar-decked frigates (with an enclosed waist, giving a continuous line of guns from bow to stern at the level of the quarterdeck/forecastle), were built, which were an almost exact match in size and firepower to the American 44-gun frigates.{{sfnp|Gardiner|2000|pp=48–56}}

===Role===
[[File:HMS warriorjune20092.jpg|right|thumb|{{HMS|Warrior|1860|6}}, the first iron-hulled armoured steam frigate – the hull survived as an oil terminal dock and was restored to its original appearance in the late 20th century]]

Frigates were perhaps the hardest-worked of warship types during the [[Age of Sail]]. While smaller than a [[Ship of the line|ship-of-the-line]], they were formidable opponents for the large numbers of [[Sloop-of-war|sloops]] and [[gunboat]]s, not to mention [[privateer]]s or merchantmen. Able to carry six months' stores, they had very long range; and vessels larger than frigates were considered too valuable to operate independently.

Frigates scouted for the fleet, went on commerce-raiding missions and patrols, and conveyed messages and dignitaries. Usually, frigates would fight in small numbers or singly against other frigates. They would avoid contact with ships-of-the-line; even in the midst of a fleet engagement it was bad etiquette for a ship of the line to fire on an enemy frigate which had not fired first.{{sfnp|Lavery|1989|pp=49, 298–300}} Frigates were involved in fleet battles, often as "repeating frigates". In the smoke and confusion of battle, [[Naval flag signalling|signals]] made by the fleet commander, whose [[flagship]] might be in the thick of the fighting, might be missed by the other ships of the fleet.<ref name="EB">{{cite book |title=Encyclopædia Britannica|volume=17|page=469}}</ref> Frigates were therefore stationed to windward or leeward of the main [[line of battle]], and had to maintain a clear line of sight to the commander's flagship. Signals from the flagship were then repeated by the frigates, which themselves standing out of the line and clear from the smoke and disorder of battle, could be more easily seen by the other ships of the fleet.<ref name="EB"/> If damage or loss of masts prevented the flagship from making clear conventional signals, the repeating frigates could interpret them and hoist their own in the correct manner, passing on the commander's instructions clearly.<ref name="EB"/> For officers in the Royal Navy, a frigate was a desirable posting. Frigates often saw action, which meant a greater chance of glory, promotion, and [[prize money]].

Unlike larger ships that were placed [[Reserve Fleet|in ordinary]], frigates were kept in service in peacetime as a cost-saving measure and to provide experience to frigate captains and officers which would be useful in wartime. Frigates could also carry [[marine (military)|marines]] for boarding enemy ships or for operations on shore; in 1832, the frigate {{USS|Potomac|1822|6}} landed a party of 282 sailors and Marines ashore in the US Navy's [[first Sumatran expedition]]. Frigates remained a crucial element of navies until the mid-19th century. The first [[Ironclad warship|ironclads]] were classified as "frigates" because of the number of guns they carried. However, terminology changed as iron and steam became the norm, and the role of the frigate was assumed first by the [[protected cruiser]] and then by the [[light cruiser]].

Frigates are often the vessel of choice in historical naval novels due to their relative freedom compared to ships-of-the-line (kept for fleet actions) and smaller vessels (generally assigned to a home port and less widely ranging). For example, the [[Patrick O'Brian]] [[Aubrey–Maturin series]], [[C. S. Forester]]'s [[Horatio Hornblower]] series and [[Douglas Reeman|Alexander Kent]]'s [[Richard Bolitho]] series. The 2003 film ''[[Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World]]'' features a reconstructed historic frigate, [[HMS Surprise (replica ship)|HMS ''Rose'']], to depict Aubrey's frigate HMS ''Surprise''.

==Age of steam==
{{Main|Steam frigate}}
[[File:Lebreton engraving-26.jpg|thumb|French [[Paddle steamer|paddle]] frigate {{Ship|French frigate|Descartes||2}}]]

Vessels classed as frigates continued to play a great role in navies with the adoption of steam power in the 19th century. In the 1830s, navies experimented with large [[paddle steamer]]s equipped with large guns mounted on one deck, which were termed "paddle frigates".

From the mid-1840s on, frigates which more closely resembled the traditional sailing frigate were built with steam engines and screw [[propeller]]s. These "[[Steam frigate|screw frigates]]", built first of wood and later of [[Wrought iron|iron]], continued to perform the traditional role of the frigate until late in the 19th century.

===Armoured frigate===
From 1859, armour was added to ships based on existing frigate and [[ship of the line]] designs. The additional weight of the armour on these first [[ironclad warship]]s meant that they could have only one gun deck, and they were technically frigates, even though they were more powerful than existing ships-of-the-line and occupied the same strategic role. The phrase "armoured frigate" remained in use for some time to denote a sail-equipped, broadside-firing type of ironclad. The first such ship was the revolutionary Marine Nationale wooden-hulled {{ship|French ironclad|Gloire||2}}, protected by 12&nbsp;cm-thick (4.7&nbsp;in) armour plates. The British response was {{HMS|Warrior|1860|6}} of the Warrior-class ironclads, launched in 1860. With her iron hull, steam engines propelling the 9,137 ton vessel to speeds of up to 14 knots and rifled breechloading 110-pdr guns, ''Warrior'' is the ancestor of all modern warships.

During the 1880s, as warship design shifted from iron to steel and cruising warships without sails started to appear, the term "frigate" fell out of use. Vessels with armoured sides were designated as "[[battleship]]s" or "[[Armored cruiser|armoured cruiser]]s", while "[[protected cruiser]]s" only possessed an armoured deck, and unarmoured vessels, including frigates and sloops, were classified as "[[unprotected cruiser]]s".

==Modern era==
===World War II===
{{See also|List of frigates of World War II}}
[[File:Lochmorlich.jpg|thumb|A {{sclass2|Loch|frigate|1}}]]
[[File:USS Gallup (PF-47).jpg|thumb|The U.S. Navy {{sclass|Tacoma|frigate|0}} patrol frigate {{USS|Gallup|PF-47|6}} at [[San Pedro, California|San Pedro]], [[California]], on 30 May 1944]]

Modern frigates are related to earlier frigates only by name. The term "frigate" was readopted during the [[World War II|Second World War]] by the British [[Royal Navy]] to describe an [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] escort vessel that was larger than a [[corvette]] (based on a mercantile design), while smaller than a [[destroyer]]. The vessels were originally to be termed "twin screw corvettes" until the Royal Canadian Navy suggested to the British re-introducing the term "frigate" for the significantly enlarged vessels. Equal in size and capability to the American [[destroyer escort]], frigates are usually less expensive to build and maintain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/navy/top_10_frigates.htm|title=Top 10 Frigates|last=ARG|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629102103/http://www.military-today.com/navy/top_10_frigates.htm|archive-date=29 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Small anti-submarine escorts designed for naval use from scratch had previously been classified as [[Sloop-of-war|sloops]] by the Royal Navy, and the {{sclass|Black Swan|sloop|2}}s of 1939–1945 (propelled by steam turbines as opposed to cheaper triple-expansion steam engines) were as large as the new types of frigate, and more heavily armed. 22 of these were reclassified as frigates after the war, as were the remaining 24 smaller {{sclass2|Castle|corvette|2}}s.

The frigate was introduced to remedy some of the shortcomings inherent in the {{sclass2|Flower|corvette|0}} corvette design: limited armament, a hull form not suited to open-ocean work, a single [[driveshaft|shaft]] which limited speed and maneuverability, and a lack of range. The frigate was designed and built to the same mercantile construction standards ([[scantling]]s) as the corvette, allowing manufacture by yards unused to warship construction. The first frigates of the {{sclass2|River|frigate|4}} (1941) were essentially two sets of corvette machinery in one larger hull, armed with the latest [[Hedgehog (weapon)|Hedgehog]] anti-submarine weapon.

The frigate possessed less offensive firepower and speed than a [[destroyer]], including an [[escort destroyer]], but such qualities were not required for anti-submarine warfare. Submarines were slow while submerged, and [[ASDIC]] sets did not operate effectively at speeds of over {{convert|20|kn|mph km/h|lk=on}}. Rather, the frigate was an austere and weatherly vessel suitable for mass-construction and fitted with the latest innovations in anti-submarine warfare. As the frigate was intended purely for convoy duties, and not to deploy with the fleet, it had limited range and speed.

It was not until the Royal Navy's {{sclass2|Bay|frigate|4}} of 1944 that a British design classified as a "frigate" was produced for fleet use, although it still suffered from limited speed. These [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] frigates, built on incomplete {{sclass2|Loch|frigate|2}} hulls, were similar to the [[United States Navy]]'s destroyer escorts (DE), although the latter had greater speed and offensive armament to better suit them to fleet deployments. The destroyer escort concept came from design studies by the [[General Board of the United States Navy]] in 1940, as modified by requirements established by a British commission in 1941{{sfnp|Gardiner|1980 |p=149}} prior to the American entry into the war, for deep-water escorts. The American-built destroyer escorts serving in the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Royal Navy]] were rated as [[Captain-class frigate|Captain-class]] frigates. The U.S. Navy's two [[Canada|Canadian]]-built {{sclass|Asheville|frigate|0}} and 96 British-influenced, American-built {{sclass|Tacoma|frigate|0}} frigates that followed originally were classified as "patrol [[gunboat]]s" (PG) in the U.S. Navy but on 15 April 1943 were all reclassified as '''patrol frigates (PF)'''.

===Modern frigate===
====Guided-missile role====
[[File:USS Leahy (CG-16) at sea off San Diego, in May 1978.jpg|thumb|right|{{USS|Leahy|DLG-16|6}} departing [[San Diego, California|San Diego]], California, in May 1978. She was classified as a guided-missile frigate (DLG-16) until 1975, when she was reclassified as a [[guided-missile cruiser]] (CG-16).]]
[[File:Arg 902.jpg|thumb|[[Algerian National Navy]] {{sclass|Koni|frigate|2}} ''[[Algerian frigate Rais Kellik|Rais Kellik]]'']]
[[File:Almirante Blanco Encalada (FF-15).jpg|thumb|The [[Chilean Navy]] {{sclass|Karel Doorman|frigate|2}} ''Almirante Blanco Encalada''. This class is also operated in the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal.]]
[[File:BRP_Miguel_Malvar_Full_-_PDA.jpg|thumb|[[BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06)|BRP ''Miguel Malvar'']] (FFG-06), the lead ship of [[Miguel Malvar-class frigate|her class]] of guided-missile frigates of the [[Philippine Navy]] during sea trials off the coast of Ulsan, South Korea]]
The introduction of the [[surface-to-air missile]] after World War II made relatively small ships effective for anti-aircraft warfare: the "guided-missile frigate". In the USN, these vessels were called "[[ocean escort]]s" and [[hull classification symbol|designated]] "DE" or "DEG" until 1975 – a holdover from the World War II [[destroyer escort]] or "DE". While the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] used similar designations for their warships built in the 1950s, the British [[Royal Navy]] maintained the use of the term "frigate"; in the 1990s the RCN re-introduced the frigate designation. Likewise, the French Navy refers to missile-equipped ships, up to cruiser-sized ships ({{sclass|Suffren|frigate|5}}, {{sclass|Tourville|frigate|5}}, and {{sclass2|Horizon|frigate|4}}es), by the name of "frégate", while smaller units are named ''[[aviso]]''. The Soviet Navy used the term "guard-ship" (''сторожевой корабль'').

From the 1950s to the 1970s, the [[United States Navy]] commissioned ships classed as guided-missile frigates ([[hull classification symbol]] DLG or DLGN, literally meaning guided-missile [[destroyer leader]]s), which were actually anti-aircraft warfare [[cruiser]]s built on [[destroyer]]-style hulls. These had one or two twin launchers per ship for the [[RIM-2 Terrier]] missile, upgraded to the [[RIM-67 Standard]] ER missile in the 1980s. This type of ship was intended primarily to defend aircraft carriers against anti-ship [[cruise missile]]s, augmenting and eventually replacing converted World War II cruisers (CAG/CLG/CG) in this role. The guided-missile frigates also had an anti-submarine capability that most of the World War II cruiser conversions lacked. Some of these ships – {{USS|Bainbridge|CGN-25|2}} and {{USS|Truxtun|CGN-35|2}} along with the {{sclass|California|cruiser|5}} and {{sclass|Virginia|cruiser|4}}es – were [[United States naval reactors|nuclear-powered]] (DLGN).{{sfnp|Bauer|Roberts |1991|pp=215–217}} These "frigates" were roughly mid-way in size between cruisers and destroyers. This was similar to the use of the term "frigate" during the age of sail during which it referred to a medium-sized warship, but it was inconsistent with conventions used by other contemporary navies which regarded frigates as being smaller than destroyers. During the [[United States Navy 1975 ship reclassification|1975 ship reclassification]], the large American frigates were redesignated as guided-missile cruisers or destroyers (CG/CGN/DDG), while [[ocean escort]]s (the American classification for ships smaller than destroyers, with hull symbol DE/DEG ([[destroyer escort]])) such as the ''[[Knox-class frigate|Knox]]''-class were reclassified as frigates (FF/FFG), sometimes called "fast frigates". In the late 1970s, as a gradual successor to the ''Knox'' frigates, the US Navy introduced the 51-ship {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|0}} guided-missile frigates (FFG), the last of which was decommissioned in 2015, although some serve in other navies.{{sfnp|Bauer|Roberts|1991|pp=251–252}} By 1995 the older guided-missile cruisers and destroyers were replaced by the {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|1}}s and {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}}s.{{sfnp|Gardiner|Chumbley|1995|pp=580–585}}

One of the most successful post-1945 designs was the British {{sclass|Leander|frigate|2}}, which was used by several navies. Laid down in 1959, the ''Leander'' class was based on the previous [[Whitby-class frigate|Type 12 anti-submarine frigate]] but equipped for anti-aircraft use as well. They were used by the UK into the 1990s, at which point some were sold on to other navies. The ''Leander'' design, or improved versions of it, were licence-built for other navies as well. Nearly all modern frigates are equipped with some form of offensive or defensive missiles, and as such are rated as guided-missile frigates (FFG). Improvements in surface-to-air missiles (e.g., the [[Eurosam]] [[MBDA Aster|Aster 15]]) allow modern guided-missile frigates to form the core of many modern navies and to be used as a fleet defence platform, without the need for specialised anti-air warfare frigates.
[[File:INS Nilgiri (F33), Himgiri (F34) and Udaygiri (F35) sailing in unison.jpg|thumb|[[Nilgiri-class frigate (2019)|''Nilgiri'']] class frigates of the [[Indian Navy]]]]
Modern destroyers and frigates have sufficient endurance and seaworthiness for long voyages and so are considered [[Blue-water navy|blue water]] vessels, while [[corvette]]s (even the largest ones capable of carrying an [[anti-submarine warfare]] helicopter) are typically deployed in coastal or [[littoral zone]]s so are regarded as [[Brown-water navy|brown-water]] or [[Green-water navy|green-water]] vessels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://navalpost.com/what-is-the-difference-between-frigate-and-destroyer/ |title=Question: What is the difference between Frigate and Destroyer? - Naval Post- Naval News and Information |publisher=Naval Post |date= 7 March 2021|access-date=2022-08-03}}</ref> According to Dr. Sidharth Kaushal of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, describing the difference between 21st century destroyers and frigates, the larger "destroyers can more easily carry and generate the power for more powerful high-resolution radar and a larger number of vertical launch cells. They can thus provide theatre wide air and missile defence for forces such as a carrier battle group and typically serve this function". By contrast the smaller "frigates are thus usually used as escort vessels to protect sea lines of communication or as an auxiliary component of a strike group". The largest and most powerful destroyers are often classified as cruisers, such as the {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|1}}s, due to their extra armament and facilities to serve as fleet flagships.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/analysis/frigate-vs-destroyer-difference/ |title=Frigate vs destroyer: What is the difference between the two warships? |publisher=Naval-technology.com |date=24 April 2019 |access-date=2022-08-03 |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712094835/https://www.naval-technology.com/analysis/frigate-vs-destroyer-difference/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Other uses====
The Royal Navy [[Salisbury-class frigate|Type 61 (''Salisbury'' class)]] were [[radar picket|"air direction"]] frigates equipped to track aircraft. To this end they had reduced armament compared to the [[Leopard-class frigate|Type 41 (''Leopard''-class)]] air-defence frigates built on the same hull. Multi-role frigates like the [[MEKO 200]], {{sclass|Anzac|frigate|5}} and {{sclass|Halifax|frigate|4}}es are designed for navies needing warships deployed in a variety of situations that a general frigate class would not be able to fulfill and not requiring the need for deploying [[destroyer]]s.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

====Anti-submarine role====
{{See also|anti-submarine warfare}}

[[File:HMS Somerset (F82).jpg|thumb|right|{{HMS|Somerset|F82|6}} of the [[Royal Navy]]. [[Type 23 frigate]]s were built for [[anti-submarine warfare]] but are capable multi-purpose ships.<ref>{{cite web |title=Type 23 Frigates |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/type-23-frigates/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531045448/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/type-23-frigates/ |archive-date=31 May 2010 |url-status=dead |website=Royal Navy website}}</ref>]]
At the opposite end of the spectrum, some frigates are specialised for [[anti-submarine warfare]]. Increasing submarine speeds towards the end of World War II (see [[German Type XXI submarine]]) greatly reduced the margin of speed superiority of frigate over submarine. The frigate could no longer be slow and powered by mercantile machinery and consequently postwar frigates, such as the {{sclass|Whitby|frigate|4}}, were faster.

Such ships carry improved [[sonar]] equipment, such as the [[variable depth sonar]] or [[towed array sonar|towed array]], and specialised weapons such as [[torpedo]]es, forward-throwing weapons such as [[Limbo (weapon)|Limbo]] and missile-carried anti-submarine torpedoes such as [[ASROC]] or [[Ikara (missile)|Ikara]]. The Royal Navy's original [[Type 22 frigate]] is an example of a specialised anti-submarine warfare frigate, though it also has [[Sea Wolf (missile)|Sea Wolf]] surface-to-air missiles for point defense plus [[Exocet]] surface-to-surface missiles for limited offensive capability.

Especially for anti-submarine warfare, most modern frigates have a [[Helipad|landing deck]] and [[hangar]] aft to operate [[helicopter]]s, eliminating the need for the frigate to close with unknown sub-surface threats, and using fast helicopters to attack nuclear submarines which may be faster than surface warships. For this task the helicopter is equipped with sensors such as [[sonobuoy]]s, wire-mounted dipping sonar and [[magnetic anomaly detector]]s to identify possible threats, and torpedoes or [[depth-charge]]s to attack them.

With their onboard radar helicopters can also be used to reconnoitre over-the-horizon targets and, if equipped with [[anti-ship missile]]s such as [[Penguin missile|Penguin]] or [[Sea Skua]], to attack them. The helicopter is also invaluable for [[search and rescue]] operation and has largely replaced the use of [[dinghy|small boats]] or the [[Underway replenishment|jackstay rig]] for such duties as transferring personnel, mail and cargo between ships or to shore. With helicopters these tasks can be accomplished faster and less dangerously, and without the need for the frigate to slow down or change course.

====Air defence role====
[[File:Danish frigate KDM Niels Juel (F363) underway in the Red Sea on 15 April 2019 (190415-N-IL409-0016).JPG|thumb|{{sclass|Iver Huitfeldt|frigate|4}}]]
Frigates designed in the 1960s and 1970s, such as the US Navy's {{sclass|Knox|frigate|1}}, West Germany's {{sclass|Bremen|frigate|1}}, and Royal Navy's [[Type 22 frigate]] were equipped with a small number of short-ranged surface-to-air missiles ([[AIM-7 Sparrow#Sea Sparrow|Sea Sparrow]] or [[Sea Wolf (missile)|Sea Wolf]]) for point defense only.

By contrast newer frigates starting with the {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|1}} are specialised for "zone-defense" [[anti-aircraft warfare|air defence]], because of the major developments in [[fighter jet]]s and [[ballistic missile]]s. Recent examples include the {{sclass|De Zeven Provinciën|frigate|0}} air defence and command frigate of the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]]. These ships are armed with [[RIM-66 Standard|VL Standard Missile 2 Block IIIA]], one or two [[Goalkeeper CIWS]] systems, ({{HNLMS|Evertsen|F805|6}} has two Goalkeepers, the rest of the ships have the capacity for another one.) [[RIM-162 ESSM|VL Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile]]s, a special [[SMART-L]] radar and a Thales [[Active Phased Array Radar]] (APAR), all of which are for air defence. Another example is the {{sclass|Iver Huitfeldt|frigate|4}} of the [[Royal Danish Navy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marineschepen.nl/schepen/zeprov.html#specs|title=De Zeven Provinciën classe (LCF)|publisher=Jaime Karreman|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924185534/https://marineschepen.nl/schepen/zeprov.html#specs|archive-date=24 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Littoral combat ship (LCS)====
[[File:Lockheed Martin LCS 17 (48301133431) (cropped).jpg|thumb|{{USS|Indianapolis|LCS-17|6}}, a {{sclass|Freedom|littoral combat ship}} of the United States Navy]]
Some new classes of ships similar to [[corvette]]s are optimized for high-speed deployment and combat with small craft rather than combat between equal opponents; an example is the U.S. [[littoral combat ship]] (LCS). As of 2015, all {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|2}}s in the United States Navy have been decommissioned, and their role partially assumed by the new LCS. While the LCS class ships are smaller than the frigate class they will replace, they offer a similar degree of weaponry while requiring less than half the crew complement and offering a top speed of over {{convert|40|kn}}. A major advantage for the LCS ships is that they are designed around specific mission modules allowing them to fulfill a variety of roles. The modular system also allows for most upgrades to be performed ashore and installed later into the ship, keeping the ships available for deployment for the maximum time.

The latest U.S. deactivation plans mean that this is the first time that the U.S. Navy has been without a frigate class of ships since 1943 (technically {{USS|Constitution}} is rated as a frigate and is still in commission, but does not count towards Navy force levels).<ref>{{cite web |last=Larter |first=David |date=2 July 2014 |title=Decommissioning plan pulls all frigates from fleet by end of FY '15 |url=http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140702/NEWS04/307020082/Decommissioning-plan-pulls-all-frigates-from-fleet-by-end-FY-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703031337/http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140702/NEWS04/307020082/Decommissioning-plan-pulls-all-frigates-from-fleet-by-end-FY-15 |archive-date=3 July 2014 |access-date=25 July 2015 |work=Militarytimes.com}}</ref> The remaining 20 LCSs to be acquired from 2019 and onwards that will be enhanced will be designated as frigates, and existing ships given modifications may also have their classification changed to ''FF'' as well.<ref>[http://news.usni.org/2015/01/15/sna-modified-littoral-combat-ship-class-changed-fast-frigate SNA: Modified Littoral Combat Ships to be Designated Frigates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806141654/https://news.usni.org/2015/01/15/sna-modified-littoral-combat-ship-class-changed-fast-frigate|date=6 August 2017}} – News.USNI.org, 15 January 2015</ref> However, the [[United States Navy]] selected a [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]] variant for a new {{sclass|Constellation|frigate|4}} of 20 frigates, to be built by Fincantieri beginning in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fincantieri Wins $795M Contract for Navy Frigate Program|url=https://news.usni.org/2020/04/30/fincantieri-wins-795m-contract-for-navy-frigate-program|date=30 April 2020|website=USNI News|language=en-US|access-date=1 May 2020}}</ref>

====Further developments====
[[File:Maritime Security Belt 2023 - Photo op exercise (14).jpg|thumb|[[Project 22350 frigate|''Admiral Gorshkov'' class frigates]] are armed with [[3M22 Zircon|Zircon]] Hypersonic cruise missiles]]
[[File:Auvergne D654 W Kiel 18-06-2023.jpg|thumb|The stealthy [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]] of the French Navy]]
[[File:BADEN-WURTTEMBERG 00257 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[German frigate Baden-Württemberg|''Baden-Württemberg'']], the lead ship of [[Baden-Württemberg-class frigate|her class of frigates]] in the [[Bundesmarine|German Navy]], is currently the largest frigate in the world.]]
[[Stealth technology]] has been introduced in modern frigate design by the French {{sclass|La Fayette|frigate|4}} design.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manaranche |first1=Martin |title=Video: French Navy's La Fayette-class Frigate Mid-Life Update |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/07/video-french-navys-la-fayette-class-frigate-mid-life-update/ |access-date=15 June 2025 |work=Naval News |date=31 July 2021}}</ref> Frigate shapes are designed to offer a minimal [[radar cross section]], which also lends them good air penetration; the maneuverability of these frigates has been compared to that of sailing ships. Examples are the Italian and French {{sclass2|Horizon|frigate|4}} with the [[Aster 15]] and [[Aster 30]] missile for anti-missile capabilities, the [[Germany|German]] {{sclass2|F125|frigate|5}} and {{sclass|Sachsen|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s, the [[Russia]]n {{sclass2|Admiral Gorshkov|frigate|5}} classes with the [[3M22 Zircon|Zircon missile]], the [[India]]n {{sclass|Shivalik|frigate|5}}, {{sclass|Talwar|frigate|5}} and {{sclass|Nilgiri|frigate|5||2019}} classes with the [[Brahmos missile]] system and the [[Malaysia]]n {{sclass|Maharaja Lela|frigate|4}} with the [[Naval Strike Missile]].

The modern [[French Navy]] applies the term first-class frigate and second-class frigate to both destroyers and frigates in service. Pennant numbers remain divided between F-series numbers for those ships internationally recognised as frigates and D-series pennant numbers for those more traditionally recognised as destroyers. This can result in some confusion as certain classes are referred to as frigates in French service while similar ships in other navies are referred to as destroyers. This also results in some recent classes of French ships such as the {{sclass2|Horizon|frigate|4}} being among the largest in the world to carry the rating of frigate. The ''Frégates de Taille Intermédiaire'' (FTI), which means frigates of intermediate size, is a French military program to design and create a planned class of frigates to be used by the French Navy. At the moment, the program consists of five ships, with commissioning [[Future of the French Navy|planned from 2023 onwards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2747|title=Update to French Military Planning Law Means New Capabilities for Lafayette Class Frigates|date=21 May 2015 |publisher=navyrecognition.com|access-date=19 December 2020|archive-date=13 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213214727/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2747|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[German Navy]], frigates were used to replace aging destroyers; however in size and role the new German frigates exceed the former class of destroyers. The current German F125 {{sclass2|Baden-Württemberg|frigate|1}}s are the largest class of frigates worldwide with a displacement of more than 7,200&nbsp;tons (however the future [[F126 frigate]]s will be over 10,000&nbsp;tons, and may be considered [[destroyers]]). The same was done in the [[Spanish Navy]], which went ahead with the deployment of the first [[Aegis combat system|Aegis]] frigates, the {{sclass|Álvaro de Bazán|frigate|2}}s. The [[Myanmar Navy]] is producing modern frigates with a reduced [[radar cross section]] known as the {{sclass2|Kyan Sittha|frigate|1}}. Before the Kyan Sittha class, the Myanmar Navy also produced an {{sclass|Aung Zeya|frigate|1}}. Although the size of the Myanmar Navy is quite small, it is producing modern guided-missile frigates with the help of Russia, China, and India. However, the fleets of the Myanmar Navy are still expanding with several on-going shipbuilding programmes, including one {{cvt|135|m|ftin}}, 4,000-tonne frigate with the [[Vertical launching system|vertical missile launch systems]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/126158/myanmar-navys-quick-march|title=Myanmar navy's quick march|author=Mohammad Abdur Razzak|access-date=4 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205051848/https://www.newagebd.net/article/126158/myanmar-navys-quick-march|archive-date=5 February 2021|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|date=5 February 2021}}</ref> The four planned [[Tamandaré-class frigate|''Tamandaré''-class frigates]] of the [[Brazilian Navy]] will be responsible for introducing ships with stealth technology in the national navy and the Latin American region, with the first boat expected to be launched in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pucara.org/post/brasil-inicia-construcci%C3%B3n-de-fragatas-clase-tamandar%C3%A9|title=Brasil inicia construcción de fragatas clase Tamandaré|website=Pucará Defensa|date=9 September 2022|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.defesaaereanaval.com.br/naval/batimento-de-quilha-da-fragata-tamandare-sera-em-marco-de-2023|title=Batimento de quilha da Fragata 'Tamandaré' será em março de 2023|date=11 September 2022|website=Defesa Aérea e Naval|language=pt}}</ref>

==Frigates in preservation==
A few frigates have survived as museum ships. They are:

===Original sailing frigates===
* {{USS|Constitution}} in [[Boston]], United States; second oldest commissioned warship in the world, oldest commissioned warship afloat{{refn|{{USS|Constitution}} launched in 1797{{HMS|Victory}} is the oldest commissioned (put on active duty) vessel since 1778 by 21 years, but she has been in dry dock since 1922.{{cn|date=July 2025}}}}<ref>{{cite web | title=Old Ironsides Crew | website=United States Navy | date=7 July 2025 | url=https://www.navy.mil/USS-CONSTITUTION/Old-Ironsides-Crew/ | access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref>
* NRP ''[[Dom Fernando II e Glória]]'' in [[Almada]], Portugal
* {{HMS|Trincomalee}} in [[Hartlepool]], [[England]], UK
* {{HMS|Unicorn|1824|6}} in [[Dundee]], [[Scotland]], UK

===Replica sailing frigates===
* {{ship|French frigate|Hermione|2014|2}}, sailing replica of the 1779 ''Hermione'' which carried [[Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette|Lafayette]] to the United States.
* {{ship||Étoile du Roy||2}}, originally named ''Grand Turk'' was built for the TV series [[Hornblower (TV series)|''Hornblower'']] in 1997. She was sold to France in 2010 and renamed ''Étoile du Roy.''
* {{ship|Russian frigate|Shtandart}}, a sailing replica of Russia's first warship, homeported in [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]].
* {{HMS|Surprise|replica ship|6}} in [[San Diego]], [[United States]], replica of HMS ''Rose'', used in the 2003 film, ''[[Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World]]''.

===Steam frigates===
* {{HNLMS|Bonaire}} in [[Den Helder]], [[Netherlands]].
* {{ship|Danish frigate|Jylland}} in [[Ebeltoft]], [[Denmark]].
* {{ship|Japanese frigate|Kaiyō Maru}}, replica in [[Esashi, Hokkaidō (Hiyama)|Esashi]], [[Japan]].
* {{HMS|Warrior|1860|6}} in [[Portsmouth]], [[England]].
* {{ship|ARA|Presidente Sarmiento}} in [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]].

===Modern era frigates===
* {{HDMS|Peder Skram|F352|6}} in [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]].
* {{HMAS|Diamantina|K377|6}} in [[Brisbane]], [[Australia]].
* TCG ''Ege'' (F256), formerly {{USS|Ainsworth|FF-1090|6}} in [[Izmit]], [[Turkey]].
* ROKS ''Taedong'' (PF-63), formerly {{USS|Tacoma|PF-3|6}} in [[South Korea]].
* [[ROKS Ulsan (FF-951)|ROKS ''Ulsan'' (FF-951)]], in [[Ulsan]], South Korea.
* [[ROKS Seoul (FF-952)|ROKS ''Seoul'' (FF-952)]], in [[Seoul]], South Korea.
* HTMS ''Tachin'' (PF-1), formerly {{USS|Glendale|PF-36|6}} in [[Nakhon Nayok]], [[Thailand]].
* HTMS ''Prasase'' (PF-2), formerly {{USS|Gallup|PF-47|6}} in [[Rayong Province]], Thailand.
* [[HTMS Phutthaloetla Naphalai|HTMS ''Phutthaloetla Naphalai'']] in [[Sattahip]], Thailand.
* [[HTMS Phutthayotfa Chulalok|HTMS ''Phutthayotfa Chulalok'']] in [[Sattahip]], Thailand.
* [[Chinese frigate Yingtan (531)|CNS ''Yingtan'' (FFG-531)]] in Qingdao, China.
* [[Chinese frigate Xiamen (515)|CNS ''Xiamen'' (FFG-515)]] in [[Taizhou, Jiangsu|Taizhou]], China.
* [[Chinese frigate Ji'an (518)|CNS ''Ji'an'' (FFG-518)]] in [[Wuxue]], China.
* [[Chinese frigate Siping (544)|CNS ''Siping'' (FFG-544)]] in [[Xingguo County]], China
* [[Chinese frigate Jinhua (534)|CNS ''Jinhua'' (FFG-534)]] in [[Hengdian, Zhejiang|Hengdian]], China
* [[Chinese frigate Dangdong (543)|CNS ''Dangdong'' (FFG-543)]] in [[Dangdong]], China
* {{INS|Gomati|F21|6}} in [[Lucknow]], India (Planned)
* {{HMS|President|1918|6}} in [[London]], [[England]].
* {{HMS|Wellington|U65|6}} in London, England.
* {{HMS|Ambuscade|F172|6}} in [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]] (planned)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hmsardent.org/ardlines-news/type-21-frigate-ambsucade-returns-to-the-clyde|title=HMS Ambuscade is Coming Home|access-date=11 January 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111183002/https://hmsardent.org/ardlines-news/type-21-frigate-ambsucade-returns-to-the-clyde|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{HNoMS|Narvik|F304|6}} in [[Horten (town)|Horten]], [[Norway]].
* {{ship|KD|Hang Tuah}} in [[Lumut, Malaysia]].
* {{ship|UBS|Mayu}} in [[Yangon]], [[Myanmar]]

===Former museums===
* [[HMCS Carlplace|Dominican frigate ''Mella'']] was on display in the [[Dominican Republic]] from 1998 to 2003, when she was scrapped due to her deteriorating condition.
* [[KD Rahmat|KD ''Rahmat'']] was on display in [[Lumut, Perak|Lumut]], Malaysia from 2011 to 2017. She sank at her moorings due to poor condition, and was later scrapped.
* [[Soviet frigate Druzhnyy|RFS ''Druzhnyy'']] was on display in [[Moscow]], Russia from 2002 to 2016, until the museum plans fell through and was sold for scrap.
* {{HMS|Plymouth|F126}} was on display in [[Birkenhead]], England from 1990 to 2006, when the museum that operated her was forced to close. She was later scrapped in 2012.
* CNS ''Nanchong'' (FF-502) was on display in [[Qingdao]], [[China]] from 1988 to 2012, when her faulty material made preservation difficult and was later scrapped.

==Operators==
===By country===
* {{navy|Algeria}} operates three [[Adhafer-class corvette|''Adhafer''-class frigates]] and two [[MEKO 200|MEKO A-200AN]] frigates
* {{navy|Argentina}} operates six [[Espora-class corvette|''Espora''-class frigates/corvettes]]
* {{navy|Bangladesh}} operates a single modified {{sclass|Ulsan|frigate|2}}
* {{naval|Brazil}} operates six {{sclass|Niterói|frigate|2}}s
* {{navy|Bulgaria}} operates three {{sclass|Wielingen|frigate|2}}s purchased from Belgium
* {{navy|Canada}} operates twelve {{sclass|Halifax|frigate|2}}s
* {{coast guard|China}} operates three [[Type 053H2G frigate|Jiangwei I-class frigates]] transferred from the navy
* {{naval|Colombia}} operates four {{sclass|Almirante Padilla|frigate|2}}s
* {{navy|Denmark}} operates four [[Thetis-class patrol vessel|''Thetis''-class]] frigates and three {{sclass|Iver Huitfeldt|frigate|2}}s, two {{sclass|Absalon|frigate|2}}s.
* {{navy|Ecuador}} operates two {{sclass|Condell|frigate|2}}s purchased from Chile
* {{naval|Egypt}} operates one [[MEKO 200|MEKO A-200EN]] frigate and a [[HMS Whimbrel (U29)|''Black Swan''-class]] frigate used as training ship
* {{navy|Equatorial Guinea}} operates a single {{ship|Equatoguinean frigate|Wele Nzas||2}}-class frigate
* {{navy|Germany}} operates four {{sclass|Brandenburg|frigate|2}}s, four {{sclass|Baden-Württemberg|frigate|2}}s and three {{sclass|Sachsen|frigate|2}}s with the latter sometimes classed as destroyers.
* {{navy|Greece}} operates nine {{sclass|Elli|frigate|2}}s purchased from the Netherlands, and four {{sclass|Hydra|frigate|2}}s
* {{navy|India}} operates 17 frigates, comprising three [[Nilgiri-class frigate (2019)|Nilgiri-class]], three {{sclass|Shivalik|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s, eight {{sclass|Talwar|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s, and three {{sclass|Brahmaputra|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s.
* {{naval|Indonesia}} operates two {{sclass|Martadinata|frigate|2}}s, five {{sclass|Ahmad Yani|frigate|2}}s, purchased from the Netherlands, and three [[Bung Tomo-class corvette|''Bung Tomo''-class]] light frigates, purchased from the UK.
* {{naval|Iran}} operates five {{sclass|Moudge|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s and three {{sclass|Alvand|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s.
* {{navy|Italy}} operates ten [[FREMM multipurpose frigate|''Bergamini''-class]] frigates, four [[Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel|''Thaon di Revel''-class]] frigates.
* {{navy|Japan}} operates four {{sclass|Mogami|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s with more under construction and six [[Abukuma-class destroyer escort|''Abu'']]<nowiki/>[[Abukuma-class destroyer escort|''kuma''-class frigates]].
* {{naval|North Korea}} operates two {{sclass2|Najin|frigate|2}}s
* {{navy|South Korea}} operates six {{sclass|Incheon|frigate|2}}s, two {{sclass|Ulsan|frigate|2}}s, and eight {{sclass|Daegu|frigate|2}}s.
* {{navy|Malaysia}} operates two {{sclass|Lekiu|frigate|2}}s
* {{naval|Mexico}} operates single [[Sigma-class design|''Reformador''-class frigate]]
* {{navy|Morocco}} operates three [[Sigma-class design|''Tarik Ben Ziyad''-class frigates]].
* {{navy|Myanmar}} operates one [[Thalun-class frigate]], two {{sclass|Kyan Sittha|frigate|2}}s, one {{sclass|Aung Zeya|frigate|2}} and two [[Type 053 frigate|Type 053H1 (Jianghu-II) class]] frigate 
* {{navy|Nigeria}} operates a single [[NNS Aradu|''Aradu''-class frigate]], though its operational status is doubtful, and a single [[NNS Obuma|''Obuma''-class frigate]] used as training hulk.
* {{navy|Peru}} operates seven {{sclass|Lupo|frigate|2}}s, with four being transferred from Italy
* {{coast guard|Peru}} operates a single {{sclass|Lupo|frigate|2}}, transferred from the Navy
* {{naval|Philippines}} operates two {{sclass|Jose Rizal|frigate|2}}s and two {{sclass|Miguel Malvar|frigate|2}}s
* {{naval|Portugal}} operates three {{sclass|Vasco da Gama|frigate|2}}s
* {{navy|Russia}} operates one [[Gremyashchiy-class corvette|''Gremyashchiy''-class frigates/corvettes]], seven [[Steregushchiy-class corvette|''Steregushchiy''-class frigates/corvettes]], three {{sclass|Admiral Gorshkov|frigate|2}}s, three {{sclass|admiral Grigorovich|frigate|2}}s, two {{sclass2|Krivak|frigate|2}}s, two {{sclass2|Gepard|frigate|2}}s and two {{sclass|Neustrashimyy|frigate|2}}s.
* {{coast guard|Russia}} operates two {{sclass2|Krivak|frigate|2}}s
* {{naval|Saudi Arabia}} operates four {{sclass|Al Madinah|frigate|2}}s
* {{navy|South Africa}} operates four {{sclass2|Valour|frigate|2}}s, made in Germany based on the [[MEKO 200|MEKO A200]] design
* {{naval|Thailand}} operates a single {{sclass|Bhumibol Adulyadej|frigate|2}} and two {{sclass|Naresuan|frigate|2}} and lastly old frigates used as training ships, the {{HTMS|Makut Rajakumarn||2}} and {{HTMS|Pin Klao||2}}.
* {{naval|Turkey}} operates four {{sclass|Yavuz|frigate|2}}s, four {{sclass|Barbaros|frigate|2}}s, and one {{sclass| Istanbul|frigate|2}}.
* {{navy|Venezuela}} operates one {{sclass|Lupo|frigate|2}}

===By class===
==== {{sclass|Anzac|frigate|2}} ====
* {{navy|Australia}} operates seven ships
* {{navy|New Zealand}} operates two ships

==== [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]] ====
* {{naval|Egypt}} operates two ''Bergamini''-class frigates from Italy, one ''Aquitaine''-class frigate from France
* {{navy|France}} operates eight ''Aquitaine''-class frigates
* {{navy|Italy}} operates ten ''Bergamini''-class frigates
* {{navy|Morocco}} operates one [[Moroccan frigate Mohammed VI|''Aquitaine''-class]] frigate ordered from France

==== {{sclass|Floréal|frigate|2}} ====
* {{navy|France}} operates six ships
* {{navy|Morocco}} operates two ships ordered from France

==== {{sclass2|Gepard|frigate|2}} current operator ====
* {{navy|Russia}} operates two ships
* {{navy|Vietnam}} operates four ships

==== [[Hamilton-class cutter|''Hamilton''-class patrol frigate]] ====
* {{navy|Bangladesh}} operates two [[Hamilton-class cutter|''Hamilton''-class patrol frigate]]s from the United States
* {{navy|Nigeria}} operates two [[Hamilton-class cutter|''Hamilton''-class patrol frigate]]s from the United States
* {{navy|Philippine}} operates three [[Hamilton-class cutter|''Hamilton''-class patrol frigate]]s from the United States

==== {{sclass|Karel Doorman|frigate|2}} ====
* {{navy|Belgium}} operates two ships purchased from The Netherlands
* {{navy|Chile}} operates two ships purchased from The Netherlands
* {{naval|Netherlands}} operates two ships
* {{naval|Portugal}} operates two ships purchased from the Netherlands

==== {{sclass|Knox|frigate|2}} ====
* {{naval|Taiwan}} operates five ships purchased from the US
* {{naval|Egypt}} operates two ships purchased from the US

==== {{sclass2|Koni|frigate|2}} ====
* {{navy|Algeria}} operates three ships
* {{navy|Bulgaria}} operates single ship
* {{naval|Libya}} operates single ship

==== {{sclass|La Fayette|frigate|2}} ====
* {{naval|Taiwan}} operates six {{sclass|Kang Ding|frigate|2}}s, which are the Taiwanese variant of the French ''La Fayette'' class
* {{navy|France}} operates five ships
* {{naval|Saudi Arabia}} operates three {{sclass|Al Riyadh|frigate|2}}s, which are the Saudi variant of the French ''La Fayette'' class
* {{navy|Singapore}} operates six {{sclass|Formidable|frigate|2}}s, these are the Singapore variant of the French ''La Fayette'' class

==== {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|2}} ====
* {{naval|Bahrain}} operates two ships donated from the US
* {{navy|Chile}} operates two {{sclass|Adelaide|frigate|2}}s purchased from Australia, these are the Australian variant of the US ''Oliver Hazard Perry'' class
* {{naval|Taiwan}} operates 10 {{sclass|Cheng Kung|frigate|2}}s, which are the Taiwanese variant of the US ''Oliver Hazard Perry'' class
* {{naval|Egypt}} operates four ships
* {{naval|Pakistan}} operates a single ship purchased from the US
* {{navy|Poland}} operates two ships purchased from the US
* {{navy|Spain}} Operates six {{sclass|Santa María|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s, these are the Spanish variant of the US ''Oliver Hazard Perry'' class
* {{naval|Turkey}} operates eight {{sclass2|G|frigate|2}}s purchased from the US

==== {{sclass2|Petya|frigate|2}} ====
* {{navy|Azerbaijan}} operates single ship
* {{navy|Vietnam}} operates five ships

==== [[Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel|''Thaon di Revel''-class]] ====
* {{navy|Italy}} operates four [[Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel|''Thaon di Revel''-class]] frigates.
* {{naval|Indonesia}} operates two [[Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel|''Thaon di Revel''-class]] frigates.

==== [[Type 053 frigate]] ====
* {{navy|Bangladesh}} operates two Jianghu II-class frigates and two Jianghu III-class frigates purchased from China
* {{navy|China}} operates six Jianghu-class frigates and seven [[Type 053H3 frigate|Jiangwei II-class frigates]]
* {{navy|Myanmar}} operates two Jianghu II-class frigates purchased from China
* {{naval|Thailand}} operates four {{sclass|Chao Phraya|frigate|2}}s and two {{sclass|Naresuan|frigate|2}}s purchased from China
* {{naval|Pakistan}} operates four {{sclass|Zulfiquar|frigate|2}}s (a variant of the Chinese Type 053H3 frigate)
* {{navy|Sri Lanka}} operates a single [[Type 053H2G frigate|Jiangwei I-class frigate]] purchased from China

==== [[Type 054 frigate]] ====
* {{navy|China}} operates 40 [[Type 054A frigate|Jiangkai II-class frigate]]s and two [[Type 054 frigate|Jiang kai I-class frigates]].
* {{naval|Pakistan}} operates four {{sclass|Tughril|frigate|2}}s (a variant of the Chinese Type 054A frigate)

==== [[Type 22 frigate]] ====
* {{naval|Brazil}} operates single ship purchased from the UK
* {{navy|Chile}} operates single ship purchased from the UK
* {{naval|Romania}} operates two ships purchased from the UK

==== [[Type 23 frigate]] ====
* {{navy|Chile}} operates three ships purchased from the UK
* {{navy|UK}} operates eight ship

==== Disputed classes ====
These ships are classified by their respective nations as frigates, but are considered destroyers internationally due to size, armament, and role.
* {{navy|Germany}} operates three {{sclass|Sachsen|frigate|2}}s and four {{sclass|Baden-Württemberg|frigate|2}}s.
* {{naval|Netherlands}} operates four {{sclass|De Zeven Provinciën|frigate|2}}s.
* {{navy|Norway}} operates four {{sclass|Fridtjof Nansen|frigate|2}}s.
* {{naval|Romania}} operates the {{ship|Romanian frigate|Mărășești}}, classified as a destroyer until 2001.
* {{navy|Spain}} operates five {{sclass|Álvaro de Bazán|frigate|2}}s.

== Former operators ==
* {{navy|Cuba}} decommissioned its last true frigates, the {{sclass2|Koni|frigate|2}} in 1998.
* {{navy|Dominican Republic}} decommissioned its last {{sclass2|River|frigate|2}} in 1998.
* {{navy|Ethiopia}} lost its entire fleet, including two {{sclass2|Petya|frigate|2}}s and the training frigate [[USS Orca (AVP-49)|''Ethiopia'']], following the independence of Eritrea in 1991.
* {{navy|Estonia}} decommissioned [[EML Admiral Pitka|EML ''Admiral Pitka'']] in 2013.
* {{naval|Finland}} decommissioned its last {{sclass2|Riga|frigate|2}} in 1985.
* {{navy|East Germany}} decommissioned all three {{sclass2|Koni|frigate|2}}s upon [[German Reunification]] in 1990.
* {{naval|Iraq}} lost its only operational frigate [[Iraqi frigate Ibn Khaldun|''Ibn Khaldoum'']] which was sunk in 2003.
* {{navy|Israel}} decommissioned its last {{sclass2|River|frigate|2}} in 1959.
* {{naval|Mexico}} decommissioned all three [[Allende-class frigate|''Allende''-class frigates]] in 2016.
* {{navy|Montenegro}} decommissioned both its [[Kotor-class frigate|''Kotor''-class frigate]]s in 2019.
* {{navy|Serbia and Montenegro}} transferred its two {{sclass|Kotor|frigate|2}}s to [[Montenegro]] upon their independence in 2006.
* {{naval|Sweden}} decommissioned its last two [[Visby-class destroyer|''Visby''-class frigates]] in 1982, following defense reviews.
* {{naval|Syria}} decommissioned its last {{sclass2|Petya|frigate|2}} in 2018.
* {{navy|Ukraine}} operated a single {{sclass2|Krivak|frigate|2}} ''[[Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaidachny|Hetman Sahaidachny]]'' which was [[Scuttling|scuttled]] in 2022.
* {{naval|United States}} decommissioned its last {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|2}} in 2015.
* {{naval|Uruguay}} decommissioned its last {{sclass|João Belo|frigate|2}} in 2022.
* {{naval|South Vietnam}} transferred its six remaining [[Casco-class cutter|''Trần Quang Khải''-class frigates]] to the Philippines following the [[Fall of Saigon]] in 1975. The seventh ship was captured by North Vietnam and recommissioned into the [[Vietnam People's Navy]].

==Future development==
* [[File:Saint Petersburg Baltic Fleet Soobrazitelnyy 01.jpg|thumb|[[Steregushchiy-class corvette|''Steregushchiy''-class frigate]]]]{{navy|Algeria}} has ordered three [[Steregushchiy-class corvette|''Steregushchiy''-class frigates]] from Russia.
* {{navy|Australia}} has ordered nine {{sclass|Hunter|frigate|2}}s. These ships are the Australian variant of the [[Type 26 frigate]]s, and will carry the AEGIS combat system.
* {{navy|Belgium}} is planning to build three [[Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (Koninklijke Marine)|Anti-Submarine Warfare frigate]]s to replace the current {{sclass|Karel Doorman|frigate|2}}s. It is a joint project with the Netherlands.
* {{naval|Brazil}} has ordered four {{sclass|Tamandaré|frigate|2}}s. These ships will replace Brazil's aging {{sclass|Niterói|frigate|2}}s.
* {{navy|Canada}} plans to order 15 [[Type 26 frigate]]s as the design for the [[Canadian Surface Combatant]]. These ships will replace the decommissioned {{sclass|Iroquois|destroyer|2}}s and {{sclass|Halifax|frigate|2}}s.
* {{navy|China}} is continuing to build [[Type 054A frigate|Jiangkai II-class frigates]].
* {{naval|Taiwan}} is planning to build 10–15 new frigates to replace the aging ''Knox'' class and ''Cheng Kung'' class.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/12/taiwans-csbs-unveils-new-frigate-design-for-roc-navy/ |title=Taiwan's CSBS Unveils New Frigate Design For ROC Navy |work=Naval News |last=Hsu |first=Tso-Juei |date=12 December 2020 |access-date=25 June 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516150514/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/12/taiwans-csbs-unveils-new-frigate-design-for-roc-navy/ }}</ref>
* {{naval|Finland}} is planning to build four {{sclass|Pohjanmaa|corvette|2}}s. These vessels, despite their classification, have been described as frigates by the Finnish defense ministry and lead to a debate over the classification in the Finnish Parliament.
* {{navy|France}} is building five [[Defence and intervention frigate|Amiral Ronarc'h-class frigates]].
* {{navy|Germany}} has ordered six [[F126 frigate]]s to replace the {{sclass|Brandenburg|frigate|2}}s. Construction of the first vessel started in December 2023.
* {{navy|Greece}} is planning to build three [[Frégate de défense et d'intervention|''Belharra''-class frigate]]s as a part of plans for replacing its aging {{sclass|Elli|frigate|2}}s. There is an option for a fourth ship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/09/greece-signs-mou-with-naval-group-and-mbda-for-fdi-frigates/|title=Greece Signs MOU with Naval Group and MBDA for FDI Frigates|date=28 September 2021|access-date=28 September 2021|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928205551/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/09/greece-signs-mou-with-naval-group-and-mbda-for-fdi-frigates/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{navy|India}} is building a total of six frigates, comprising four {{sclass|Nilgiri|frigate|2||2019}}<nowiki/>s (with three already in service) and two [[Talwar-class frigate]] (with eight already in service). Another 7-8 ships of [[Project 17B-class frigate|Project 17B]] are planned.
* {{naval|Indonesia}} is currently building one [[Type 31 frigate]] with another one planned.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indo-defence-2022-indonesia-prepares-to-cut-steel-on-first-red-white-frigate |title=Indo Defence 2022: Indonesia prepares to cut steel on first 'Red White' frigate |website=janes.com |date=7 November 2022 |access-date=19 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.airspace-review.com/2022/12/10/pemotongan-baja-pertama-kapal-fregat-merah-putih-telah-dilakukan-oleh-pt-pal/ |title=Pemotongan baja pertama Kapal Fregat Merah Putih telah dilakukan oleh PT PAL |website=airspace-review.com |date=10 December 2022 |access-date=19 December 2022 |language=ID}}</ref> Indonesia will also order six [[FREMM Multipurpose frigate|''Bergamini''-class frigate]]s and two {{Sclass|Maestrale|frigate|2}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fincantieri.com/en/media/press-releases/2021/fincantieri-will-provide-8-vessels-to-indonesia/ |title=WILL PROVIDE 8 VESSELS TO INDONESIA |publisher=Fincantieri |date=2021-06-10 |access-date=2022-02-14 |archive-date=10 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210230127/https://www.fincantieri.com/en/media/press-releases/2021/fincantieri-will-provide-8-vessels-to-indonesia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{navy|Italy}} is building 3 [[Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel|''Thaon di Revel''-class frigates]], Italy is also commission 2 more [[FREMM multipurpose frigate|''Bergamini''-class EVO]] frigates.
* {{naval|Iran}} is currently building four more {{sclass|Moudge|frigate|2}}s.
* {{navy|Japan}} is currently building four {{sclass|Mogami|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s. These ships will replace the {{sclass|Abukuma|destroyer escort|2}}<nowiki/>s.
* {{navy|South Korea}} is currently building six {{sclass|Chungnam|frigate|2}}s.
* {{Navy|Malaysia}} is currently building five {{sclass|Maharaja Lela|frigate|2}}s and originally planning for six ships for the class but cut it down to five ships in early 2023 due to financial reasons
* {{naval|Mexico}} will commission one more [[Sigma-class design|''Reformador''-class frigate]].
* {{navy|Myanmar}} is constructing a new frigate which is {{cvt|135|m|ftin}} long and displaces 4,000 tonnes.<ref name="auto"/>
* {{naval|Netherlands}} is planning to build four [[Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (Koninklijke Marine)|Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates]] to replace the current {{sclass|Karel Doorman|frigate|2}}s. It is a joint project with Belgium.
* {{navy|Poland}} is currently building three [[Type 31 frigate|Projekt 106 frigate]]s to replace its aging [[Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate|''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class]] frigates.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2022/03/04/polish-navy-chooses-arrowhead-140-design-for-new-frigates/ | title=Polish Navy chooses Arrowhead 140 design for new frigates | date=4 March 2022 }}</ref>
* {{navy|Russia}} is currently building ten {{sclass|Admiral Gorshkov|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s.
* {{naval|Saudi Arabia}} ordered four upgraded versions of the {{sclass|Freedom|littoral combat ship|2}} from the United States. These ships are to replace the aging {{sclass|Al Madinah|frigate|2}}s.
* {{navy|Spain}} is currently planning to build five {{sclass2|F110|frigate|2}}s. These ships will replace Spain's {{sclass|Santa María|frigate|2}}s.
* {{naval|Thailand}} is currently building an additional {{sclass|Bhumibol Adulyadej|frigate|2}}.
* {{naval|Turkey}} is currently building the {{sclass|Istanbul|frigate|2}}s as a part of the [[MILGEM project]].
* {{navy|Ukraine}} was building one [[Volodymyr Velykyi-class corvette|''Volodymyr Velykyi''-class frigate]]. Construction began in 2011, then suffered delays and was completely stopped in 2014. The Black Sea Shipyard responsible for the program went bankrupt in 2021, the ship was only 17% complete.<ref name="frigate">{{cite web |title=У Міноборони опрацьовують питання добудови корабля "Володимир Великий" проекту 58250, – Андрій Таран &#124; Міністерство оборони України |url=https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2021/08/12/u-minoboroni-opraczovuyut-pitannya-dobudovi-korablya-volodimir-velikij-proektu-58250-%E2%80%93-andrij-taran/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812095321/https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2021/08/12/u-minoboroni-opraczovuyut-pitannya-dobudovi-korablya-volodimir-velikij-proektu-58250-%E2%80%93-andrij-taran/ |archive-date=12 August 2021 |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=www.mil.gov.ua }}</ref> It was hoped that this class would help rebuild the Ukrainian Navy, which has been depleted since the capture of most of its fleet following the 2014 Russian Annexation of Crimea. The United States has offered to transfer two ''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class frigates to Ukraine.
* {{navy|UK}} is currently building eight [[Type 26 frigate]]s. These ships, along with five planned [[Type 31 frigate]]s will replace the [[Type 23 frigate]]s currently in service. Additionally, five [[Type 32 frigate]]s are also planned to supplement the Royal Navy's strength.
* {{naval|USA}} is currently building 20 {{sclass|Constellation|frigate|2}}s. These ships are a variant of the [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]] and will replace the decommissioned ''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class frigates. As of 2024, 6 frigates have been funded.

==See also==
* [[Frigate 36]], a sailboat design, named in honour of the warship class
* {{sclass|Udaloy|destroyer|1}}, a destroyer design officially named Project 1155 ''Fregat'', which translates to frigate or [[frigatebird]]
* [[List of escorteurs of the French Navy]]
* [[List of frigate classes]]
* [[List of frigate classes by country]]
* [[List of frigates of World War II]]
* [[United States Navy 1975 ship reclassification]]

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book | last1 = Bauer | first1 = K. Jack | author-link = K. Jack Bauer |last2=Roberts |first2=Stephen S. | title = Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants | publisher = Greenwood Press | year = 1991 | location = [[Westport, Connecticut]] | isbn = 978-0-313-26202-9 }}
* Bennett, G. (2001)''The Battle of Trafalgar'', Barnsley (2004). {{ISBN|1-84415-107-7}}.
* Constam, Angus & Bryan, Tony, British Napoleonic Ship-Of-The-Line, Osprey Publishing, 184176308X
* {{cite book |last=Gardiner |first=Robert |year=2000 |title=Frigates of the Napoleonic Wars |publisher=Chatham Publishing |place=London}}
* {{cite book |editor-last1=Gardiner |editor-first1=Robert |year=1980 |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946 |place=New York |publisher=Mayflower Books |isbn=0-8317-0303-2}}
* {{cite book |editor-last1=Gardiner |editor-first1=Robert |editor-last2=Chumbley |editor-first2=Stephen |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |year=1995 |location=London |isbn=978-1-55750-132-5}}
* {{cite book|editor-last1=Gardiner|editor-first1=Robert|editor-last2=Lambert|editor-first2=Andrew|year=2001 |title=Steam, Steel and Shellfire: The Steam Warship, 1815–1905 |series=Conway's History of the Ship |publisher=Book Sales}}
* {{cite book|editor-last1=Gardiner|editor-first1=Robert|editor-last2=Lavery|editor-first2=Brian|year=1992 |title=The Line of Battle: The Sailing Warship 1650–1840 |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |place=London}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Gresham |first=John D. |title=The swift and sure steeds of the fighting sail fleet were its dashing frigates |magazine=Military Heritage |date=February 2002 |volume=3 |number=4 |pages=12–17, 87}}
* [[Andrew Lambert|Lambert, Andrew]] (1984) ''Battleships in Transition, the Creation of the Steam Battlefleet 1815–1860'', published Conway Maritime Press, {{ISBN|0-85177-315-X}}.
* {{cite book |last=Lavery |first=Brian |year=1989 |title=Nelson's Navy: The Ships, Men and Organisation 1793–1815 |place=Annapolis, MD |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=978-1-59114-611-7}}
* Lavery, Brian. (1983) ''The Ship of the Line, Volume 1: The Development of the Battlefleet, 1650–1850''. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, {{ISBN|0-87021-631-7}}.
* Lavery, Brian. (1984) ''The Ship of the Line, Volume 2: Design, Construction and Fittings''. Annapolis, Md.: [[Naval Institute Press]], {{ISBN|0-87021-953-7}}.
* Lavery, B. (2004) ''Ship'', Dorling Kindersly, Ltd . {{ISBN|1-4053-1154-1}}.
* Mahan, A.T. (2007) ''The Influence of Sea Power Upon History 1660–1783'', Cosimo, Inc.
* Marriott, Leo. ''Royal Navy Frigates 1945–1983'', Ian Allan, 1983, {{ISBN|0-7110-1322-5}}.
* Macfarquhar, Colin & Gleig, George (eds.), ((1797)) ''Encyclopædia Britannica: Or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature'', London, Volume 17, Third Edition.
* {{cite book |last=Rodger |first=N.A.M. |author-link=Rodger, N. A. M. |year=2004 |title=The Command of the Ocean, a Naval History of Britain 1649–1815 |publisher=Allen Lane|place=London |isbn=0-7139-9411-8}}
* {{cite book|first=Agustín|last=Rodríguez González|authorlink=Agustín Rodríguez González|title=Álvaro de Bazán: Capitán general del Mar Océano|publisher=EDAF|year=2017|isbn=9788441438033}}
* Sondhaus, L. ''Naval Warfare, 1815–1914''.
* Winfield, Rif. (1997) ''The 50-Gun Ship''. London: Caxton Editions, {{ISBN|1-84067-365-6}}, {{ISBN|1-86176-025-6}}.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Wiktionary}}
{{Commons category|Frigates}}
* [http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/frigates.htm Frigates] from battleships-cruisers.co.uk – history and pictures of United Kingdom frigates since World War II
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040803041801/http://destroyersonline.com/usndd/fftypes.htm Frigates] from Destroyers OnLine – pictures, history, crews of United States frigates since 1963
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025904/http://www.greatgridlock.net/Sqrigg/squrig2.html The Development of the Full-Rigged Ship From the Carrack to the Full-Rigger]

{{Rating system of the Royal Navy}}
{{Sailing Vessels and Rigs}}
{{Warship types of the 19th & 20th centuries}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Frigates]]
[[Category:Ship types]]
[[Category:Naval sailing ship types]]
[[Category:Ship designs of the Spanish Empire]]