How air-defence frigates occupy different task-group layers

FREMM’s national variants include dedicated air-defence ships, while France’s cancellation of its third and fourth Horizon hulls left only two high-end escorts for Charles de Gaulle. When those ships are unavailable, allied Type 45 or Italian Horizon vessels may fill the gap. A large area-air-defence frigate or destroyer operates in the task group’s midfield, intercepting threats before they reach the inner screen. A Type 31-style goalkeeper instead stays closer to a carrier or amphibious ship and produces a dense last-ditch volume of fire. Task-group position and defensive layer reveal more about an escort’s function than its official label.