What is the difference between Frigate vs Destroyer

While commenting about a frigate or a destroyer, we face such questions: what is the difference between Frigate vs Destroyer? How can we define a warship as a destroyer? Why do we call it a frigate rather than a destroyer?

If you are not a navy crew or a navy veteran, it could be hard to distinguish these two types of ships. The main differences between a destroyer and a frigate are tonnage, weapons, mission definition, capabilities, and the size to define it roughly. However, there is no standard to define a warship as a destroyer. Different countries have different definitions and ideas about what a destroyer or a frigate should do. For example, while the U.S. Navy describes a 9000 toned Arleigh Burke-class as a destroyer, Iran may call a 95-meter Moudge-class ship a destroyer.

As we already know, frigates and destroyers are two of the most common warships in a navy’s fleet. Both are designed for quick maneuverability and can be used to escort and protect larger vessels from air, surface and underwater threats. The similarities between frigates and destroyers have led to some European navies using the terms interchangeably. On the other hand, frigates are more common, with almost every navy in the world in possession of a frigate as part of its navy fleet.

There is a lot of difference between a destroyer and frigate and both serve their roles equally well in any Naval Force. To understand the difference clearly, firstly we need to take a look at the history.

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[Chickenworm]

You deliberately put on an old, pre-modified Type 052 Luhu class picture to represent the Chinese destroyer, while you had many better choices like Type 052D and 055. Did you intend to fool the audience into believing that Chinese naval ships are inferior and obsolete?

[Twirlyhead]

The only statement that is correct in all cases is: _one is called a frigate and the other is called a destroyer_ .

[sailorbychoice]

I was on 4 ships in 8 years in the US navy. My first and third ships were FF's, Fast Frigates, but they were originally designated as DE, or Destroyer Escorts back in the early 70's, or light weight Destroyers. They were slightly smaller in length and lighter displacement, but the biggest difference was that Destroyers had twin propellers (screws), but FF's (DE's) had only a single propeller. The top-end speed was close, a little over 30 knots (35 mph +/-), within a knot or two of each other, the FF could maybe kiss 33 knots with everything opened up, glassy seas and the wind from the right quarter, but the FF's felt like they'd shake apart after a fair bit going balls to the walls where Destroyers could get up to top speed and maintain it longer. Destroyers were 40% anti-submarine and 60% anti-aircraft/other surface vessels, where the FF's were slower and quieter in the water~ 80% anti-sub/20% anti-aircraft/other surface vessels.

[vulture]

As a submariner, we keep it simple.

They're just targets.

[nimitzopsoi]

After watching this i still dont know the difference between a frigate or destroyer.

[petesheppard]

Given the growth in ship size and capability, it seems to me that 'destroyers' have taken on the roles of cruisers, and frigates are functioning as classical destroyers as smaller, relatively inexpensive yet flexible surface combatants. Bumping the classifications from frigate to destroyers and destroyers to cruisers would be reflective of this evolution.

[usmc]

4:55 " actually destroyers are much smaller than battleships but larger than frigates" *shows ticonderoga class cruiser* lmao

[sbeutler]

Served aboard the USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) and USS Kidd (DDG-993). One of the biggest differences between the two were that frigates are single screw and destroyers are twin screw in our modern fleet.

[GenericShirtNinja]

Unless its a European "Frigate" - in which case its actually a Destroyer in all but name.

[marneus]

The diference is cultural. The first destroyer ever, the Spanish "Destructor" was a torpedo boat destroyer. Spain's current 7000 t Alvaro de Bazán AEGIS "destroyers" are called "frigates".

[ivandodov]

And, so after all the explanations, photographs, etc. - Please, what is the difference between a frigate and a destroyer? Is there any?

[dougearnest]

What's the difference between a frigate and a destroyer?

00:30 -- There's a difference
00:45 -- There's no definition
01:00 -- They do the same thing
01:15 -- Some navies use the terms interchangeably
01:28 -- There's a lot of difference between them

Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

[jilmhebel]

The more expensive one is clearly the destroyer.

[casualgamer]

Not sure if I'm accurate but
Frigate:
>smaller than destroyer
>smaller offensive and defensive capabilities
>mainly use as defensive warships
>scout, anti-sub, deal with small ships
>cheaper than destroyer

Destroyer:
>larger than frigate
>better armament, more offensive capabilities, more room for upgrade
>scout, anti-sub, provide intel for anti-air and anti-missile, provide protection for larger vessel, pursuit key target with missile and torpedoes
>more suitable to cross ocean than frigate due to higher tonnage for resisting ocean wave

[dereksuddreth]

During the Cold War, I served in the US Navy aboard two Knox Class Frigates, USS Brewton FF-1086 and USS Hewes FF-1078 as a Sonar Technician (STG). The primary mission on these ships was Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). There was a bow mounted active/passive sonar dome and the USS Hewes had a variable depth Towed Array System (TAS) which was deployed from the stern. All Knox Class Frigates had helo landing pads aft. H-2 Helos were attached to the frigates during deployments. These aircraft were equipped with "dipping" sonar and could deploy "sonar buoys" to make enemy sub whereabouts known to the fleet. Other fixed wing aircraft used magnetic resonance equipment to locate submarines There were also fixed underwater sonar buoys (SOSA Stations) permanently deployed in different locations around the globe. Our biggest threat at the time was Soviet Ballistic Submarines (Boomers). The Soviets were capable of launching virtually at any point in any ocean and hit targets anywhere on the planet, including the US and it's Allies. Detection was the key to prevent this from being a threat. The Russians continue the cat and mouse game to this day. Currently the Chinese have taken over the number one spot in active submarines deployed in the world's oceans. The US Navy and our Allies have a huge responsibility in keeping the sea lanes open and protecting our interests at home and abroad. God Bless the men and women who serve in the US Navy. "You Have The Watch".

[realwm]

The lines have become so blurred that when I have to explain to someone who doesn't know that much i just start calling frigate and destroyers large surface combatants and Corvettes small surface combatant because even in this video the things that they mentioned that a destroyer had that a frigate don't show up in a majority of modern frigates

[daf]

As an Operations Specialist in the 1980's, I was on the USS Coontz (DDG-40), predecessor to the Arleigh Burke class destroyer. Our main mission in the 80's was that of Carrier Escort. I don't if things have changed over the years, but that was our main mission.

[Yuu-itzk]

Japan is the only navy in the word that got rid of naming distinctions
Al large surface combatants are called “Escort ships” (護衛艦) regardless of size (note that 護衛艦is not frigate in Japanese, although it means frigate in Korean and Chinese)
However, each escort ship class is designated “destroyer” “Frigate” when written down in English for the sake of our English speaking allies
DDGs DDs, FFMs are all”escort ships” in japanese

[Jim-schm]

I was stationed on the Bronstein class "Frigate" shown @ 1:09. (U.S.S Bronstein DE 1037) At the time it was a Destroyer Escort. I heard that the designation was changed to Fast Frigate somewhere around 1975-6.

[alexanderschoneberg]

video is so so.... but commentary section on the other hand, is pure gold, recommend!