French Navy: News

The construction of the main supply ship of the BRF type for the French Navy has begun

On May 18, 2020, at the largest French shipbuilding company Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, the first steel cutting ceremony was held for the construction of the new generation integrated supply head ship BRF (Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force), called Jacques Chevallier, launched for the French Navy . The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Armed Forces of France Florence Parley and the Chief of Staff (Commander) of the French Navy, Admiral Christoph Prazouk. Official design image of a new-generation integrated supply ship type BRF (Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force) for the French Navy (s) French Navy


The lead ship was named in honor of Jacques Chevalier (1921 - 2009), who was the chief designer of the nuclear reactors of the first French nuclear submarines. At a ceremony on May 18, Minister Florence Parley announced that the next three ships of the BRF type would be named Jacques Stofkopff, Emile Bertin and Gustave Zédé .

Also at the ceremony, the Minister said that a new French aircraft carrier will be built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique, which will replace by 2038 Charles de Gaulle, an aircraft carrier currently in the French Navy .

Recall that in January 2019, the European defense procurement organization Organization for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) on behalf of the General Directorate of Arms (Direction Générale de l'Armement - DGA) of the French Armed Forces signed a contract with the French shipbuilding association Naval Group and a shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire) for the construction of four new generation integrated supply ships for the French Navy, such as the Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force (BRF, also uses the English language designation Logistic Support Ships - LSS). The contract value is 1.7 billion euros (including VAT). The contract also includes technical support for the ships for six years of their operation and training of personnel.

At the ceremony on May 18, it was reported that the lead shipJacques Chevallier type BRF (building number C35) should be completed by the end of 2022. The second ship is planned to be transferred to the fleet in 2025, the third - in 2027, and the last should be commissioned by the beginning of 2029.

As part of the French Navy, four BRF type ships are to replace four Durance type supply tankers built in the 1980s (one of which was decommissioned in 2015). Now the withdrawal of the remaining three tankers from the fleet is planned for 2024-2028.

The ships of the BRF type were ordered as part of a joint Franco-Italian program under the auspices of OCCAR, and their project was developed by the Italian shipbuilding association Fincantieri on the basis of the last built for the Italian fleet integrated supply ship Volcano(which is currently in the testing phase). Thus, the French Navy rejected the projects of the integrated supply ships promoted by the Naval Group under the code BRAVE (Batiment RAvitailleur d'Escadre), which at the time aroused interest in the Russian Navy. The program for the acquisition of four new integrated supply ships under the FLOTLOG code (Flotte Logistique) has been carried out by the French Navy since 2012. The Franco-Italian agreement on the selection of the Italian project for the ships FLOTLOG was signed in October 2018.

The choice of the French Navy in favor of the Italian project was another incentive for a partnership between the Naval Group and Fincantieri, which concluded in 2019 an agreement on the creation of a joint venture NAVIRIS. It is no accident that the construction of four BRF ships will be carried out at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique (from 2008 to 2016 controlled by the South Korean group STX as STX France, and which also carried out the construction of two ships of the Mistral typeunder a contract with Russia). In September 2017, Fincantieri acquired a 50% (actually controlling) stake in Chantiers de l'Atlantique and returned its historical name to this shipyard (another 13% of the Saint-Nazaire shipyard are now owned by the Naval Group and 33% by the French state). This acquisition was an important step in the implementation of the BRF program on a French-Italian basis, and, possibly, following the implementation of this program, Fincantieri will become the full owner of the Saint-Nazaire shipyard. Apparently, Fincantieri will manufacture part of the hull sections for the BRF ships in its Italian enterprises.

Naval Group acts as a system integrator of ships of the BRF type and installer of equipment and weapons on them. The main electronic systems will be supplied by the Thales group.

The BRF ships will be large vessels with a total displacement of 31 thousand tons, a length of 194 m and a width of 27.4 m, with a double hull. The diesel-electric twin-shaft main power plant with a total capacity of 25 mW will include four diesel generators and two electric motors and will provide a full speed of 20 knots. Autonomy of 60 days. The crew of 130 people with the ability to take another 60. The armament will be two 40-mm artillery mounts BAE Systems Bofors Mk 4 (according to other sources, the Nexter Thales Rapidfire with a 40-mm gun 40CTAS). On the ship, one NH90 helicopter is constantly based in the hangar.

The BRF will be able to receive 13,000 cubic meters of fuel and liquid cargo and 1,500 tons of dry cargo, including containerized cargo. Four freight transfer stations are being installed on the go. The ship will also be equipped with repair shops and waste treatment plants. French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parley at the first steel cutting ceremony for the new generation BRF (Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force) integrated supply headquarters ship for the French Navy, which began construction at the French Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard. Saint-Nazaire, 05/18/2020 (c) twitter.com/florence_parly





https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4030395.html

A fire started also yesterday in one of the SSN. It seems to be a big fire.

Isos wrote:A fire started also yesterday in one of the SSN. It seems to be a big fire.

In which submarine? The same submarine that launched these M 51 SLBMs?

PapaDragon wrote:so this sub might be off the roster for quite a while

This would leave the French Navy with only 4 operational SSN.

I wonder why do the French and the Brits need nuclear submarines that can launch SLBMs? Whatever happened to their special, privileged relation with the U.S.

It's to be independent of the US nuclear deterrence & to keep their permanent seats in the UNSC. They can also be used with low yield tactical/conventional warheads.

jhelb wrote:

PapaDragon wrote:so this sub might be off the roster for quite a while

This would leave the French Navy with only 4 operational SSN.

I wonder why do the French and the Brits need nuclear submarines that can launch SLBMs? Whatever happened to their special, privileged relation with the U.S.

No. The one that caught fire is a SSN and not a SSBN. They are left with 5 SSN as they have 6 of them and 4 SSBN.

US hate french. France will never believe US for that. Just look how Trump is jalous that we don't need him.

UK SSBN are armed with US trident missiles and US have some degree of control over them.

Tsavor wrote:It's to be independent of the US nuclear deterrence & to keep their permanent seats in the UNSC. They can also be used with low yield tactical/conventional warheads.

They can't be armed with tactical warheads.more precisly they can't be used for tactical strikes. For such role France would use a Rafale armed with mach 3 ASMP missile.

It's not written in stone; smaller warheads w/o the outer core will turn them into low yield nukes. The RAF doesn't have Rafales or nuclear capable bombers anymore.

Tsavo Lion wrote:It's not written in stone; smaller warheads w/o the outer core will turn them into low yield nukes. The RAF doesn't have Rafales or nuclear capable bombers anymore.

The missiles are deployed with all their warheads. You can't remove them at sea and put a small one instead.

Also you don't use an icbm for tactical strike. It will be detected and answered by a massive counter strike of hundreds of icbm. That would start WW3.

UK doesn't have the capability of tactical nuclear strike. Maybe their tornados can use some free fall nuclear bombs like germans ... not sure.

The missiles are deployed with all their warheads. You can't remove them at sea and put a small one instead.

if the tactic is anticipated, it will be done pierside ahead of time.

Also you don't use an icbm for tactical strike. It will be detected and answered by a massive counter strike of hundreds of icbm. That would start WW3.

not if it's launched from certain areas, use low trajectories & EW systems (the RF now has 1 in space, not to mention US) detect & calculate impact zones in the 3rd world countries.

UK doesn't have the capability of tactical nuclear strike.

unless if using SLBMs or future N-tipped CMs.

Maybe their tornados can use some free fall nuclear bombs like germans ... not sure.

that's outdated- they'll be shot down before getting into position to release them.

Isos wrote:They can't be armed with tactical warheads.more precisly they can't be used for tactical strikes. For such role France would use a Rafale armed with mach 3 ASMP missile.

So what's the M 51 ver. 3 update all about? What are the additional upgrades over the M 51 ver. 2 that can be expected?

Isos wrote:US hate french. France will never believe US for that. Just look how Trump is jalous that we don't need him.

U.S hates France? Not sure. General impression I gather when I visit the U.S is that both the government and the people hates 3rd world countries - Africa, Asia not France.. And that makes sense, because most illegal enter the US from Asia and Africa.

So just like the U.S has allies like Germany, Scandanavia apart from its fellow Anglo-Saxon states, which Major countries are allies of France? Is it China?

U.S hates France? Not sure. General impression I gather when I visit the U.S is that both the government and the people hates 3rd world countries - Africa, Asia not France.. And that makes sense, because most illegal enter the US from Asia and Africa.

Not true at all.

In 1945, US and UK wanted to control France the way they controled Germany and split it in controlled territories. De Gaulles put its men at every step of power and removed them. He never liked UK or US. Even removed NATO from France.

French diplomacy is not alligned on UK-US. Well Sarkozy and Holland changed that and sold France to US but we are not alligbed on them like UK is and Macron is taking its distances with US but the pressure is too strong to be totally independant of them.

So just like the U.S has allies like Germany, Scandanavia apart from its fellow Anglo-Saxon states, which Major countries are allies of France? Is it China?

The thing is that France talks with everyone and has good economic relations with pretty much all the countries. Add to this that french language is the official language in many foreign countries which helps a lot.

French former colonies still have strong relations with France while UK has nothing, even worse it became the puppet of its former colony.

Germany ally of US ? Like, do you listen to Trump when he speak about German ? Is it this really an ally country ? And look at Japan, they are making everything they can to remove US troops there. Last month US removed military stuff from Saudi Arabia because they were not listening to their orders concerning oil exploitation. In the same time US told UK they will remove military stuff if they don't forbid Huawei in UK. A week ago they told Germany they will remove military personel only because they are a strong economic competitor specially in the US. The only country that can concidere them as an ally is Israel.

Alliances are worth nothing abd brings more problems than they solve (WW1, WW2, Gulf war, Afghan war...).

Isos wrote:French former colonies still have strong relations with France while UK has nothing, even worse it became the puppet of its former colony.

But these are third world countries in Africa. Poverty stricken and therefore not of much help.

I think China is a friend of France and regardless of what the US says, France should start exporting weapons to China. I suspect Scandanavian countries are close to France as well.

Ireland too is a friend of France, I think.

Isos wrote:Alliances are worth nothing abd brings more problems than they solve (WW1, WW2, Gulf war, Afghan war...).

If the US could have gone alone in all these wars there was no need for them to bring in their Anglo-Saxon cousins.

Third world countries but with lot of ressources and opportunities.

China is not a friend of ours. They even try to replace us in Africa.

And countries don't have friends.

Planned France sale of AWACS and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

On July 6, 2020, the US Department of Defense Agency for Defense Cooperation (DSCA) sent a notification to the US Congress about the possible upcoming sale of France through the American program of intergovernmental foreign military sales (FMS) of three carrier-based early warning and control radar Northtrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. This shipment is approved by the US Department of State. The total cost of the proposed delivery will be $ 2 billion, including training and technical support packages.

These aircraft should replace the three currently armed with the French Navy carrier-based AWACS aircraft and the control of the previous Northtrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye modification used from the only French aircraft carrier R 91 Charles de Gaulle (usually there are two E-2C aircraft on this aircraft carrier) and incoming in the composition of the flotilla 4F. France received two E-2C aircraft in 2000 and one in 2007, all of them have been upgraded to the Hawkeye 2000 level by now. Replacing these aircraft with the E-2D version has been discussed in France for several years and was officially announced by the Minister of Armed Forces France Florence Parley in October 2019, when, apparently, an official request was submitted to the American side through the FMS.

According to French sources, the receipt of E-2D aircraft is expected no earlier than 2025. France will become the second foreign recipient of the E-2D modification after Japan, which plans to acquire a total of 13 aircraft to replace the same number of land-based E-2C aircraft in the Air Force of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. To date, Japan has received four E-2D aircraft, three of which arrived in Japan in March 2019 and March 2020, and one is in the United States for training personnel.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4080562.html

Why is japan buying this thing when they could have a longer ranged and more spacious AWACS ?

When it comes to detecting low flying threats the Hawkeye can do the job well enough, but while it is smaller and shorter ranged it is also much cheaper and able to operate from smaller airfields.

It is also cheaper to operate and having 13 Hawkeyes actually offers better coverage than having say 6 747 based AWACS planes...

2nd Black Sea deployment of this ship:
https://www.russiadefence.net/t5434p25-russian-military-equipment-in-crimea#293207

Construction of the first French POM-class patrol ship began

On October 8, 2020, at the French shipbuilding company SOCARENAM in Saint-Malo, a ceremony was held for the first steel cutting for the head of six patrol ships ordered for the French Navy under the POM program (Patrouilleurs Outre-Mer) for use in French overseas territories. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of the Armed Forces of France, Florence Parly. The lead ship ROM is due to be handed over to the French Navy by the end of 2022 and set off for its permanent base at Noumea in New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean. Ceremony of the first steel cutting for the head of six patrol ships ordered for the French Navy under the POM program (Patrouilleurs Outre-Mer) at the plant of the French shipbuilding company SOCARENAM in Saint-Malo, 08.10.2020 (c) French Ministry of Armed Forces



Recall that at the beginning of December 2019, it was announced the decision of the Directorate General of Armaments (Direction générale de l'Armement - DGA) of the French Armed Forces to choose SOCARENAM to build six patrol ships for the French fleet under the POM program (Patrouilleurs Outre- Mer) for use in the overseas territories of France. On December 24, 2019, DGA issued a contract to the consortium of SOCARENAM and the CMN group (the latter acts as a subcontractor) in the amount of 223.94 million euros for the construction of six ROM ships.The delivery of all six ships should be made from 2022 to 2025.

The ROM program provides for the construction of six patrol ships, two of which will be permanently based in New Caledonia (base in Noumea, these should be the first two ships to be commissioned in 2022-2023), two - on Reunion Island (Port Reunion) and two - in French Polynesia (Papeete, Tahiti). As part of the French fleet, these ships will replace the four small patrol ships of the P 400 project and the patrol ships P 675 Arago (a converted hydrographic vessel) and P 701 Le Malin (a converted trawler) that are currently used in these island territories .

Ships of the ROM type will have an all-aluminum structure, 80 m long, 11.8 m wide and 3.5 m draft. The power plant is two-shaft diesel, full speed 22 knots, autonomy of 30 days. The crew of 30 people with the possibility of accommodating another 23. The ships will be armed with a 20-mm remote-controlled artillery system Nexter Narwhal and 12.?-mm and 7.62-mm machine guns. The ships should also be equipped with a helipad and an Airbus / Survey Copter ALIACA aircraft type UAV.

Earlier, SOCARENAM also designed and built in 2017-2019 for the French fleet three 61-meter patrol ships of the PAG (Patrouileur Antilles Guyane) type La Confiance for basing in French Guiana and the French Antilles.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4159915.html

French nuclear submarine Perle will be restored

Speaking at the online international naval exhibition Euronaval 2020, the Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly announced on October 21, 2020 that a decision had been made to restore and return to service the French fleet of the nuclear-powered multipurpose submarine S 606 Perle of the Rubis type , strongly injured in a fire while undergoing mid-term repairs at dry dock in Toulon on June 12-13, 2020.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4172086.html

New Suffren Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine officially commissioned by French Navy

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2020/november/9236-new-suffren-barracuda-class-nuclear-powered-attack-submarine-officially-commissioned-by-french-navy.html

Suffren-class submarines specifications:
Surface displacement: 4,700 tonnes
Diving displacement: 5,300 tonnes
Length: 99.5 metres
Diameter: 8.8 metres
Maximum depth: > 350 meters
Armament: naval cruise missiles, F21 heavy-weight wire-guided torpedoes, modernized Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles, naval mines
Hybrid propulsion: pressurized water reactor derived from the reactors on board the Triomphant-type SSBN and Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier, two propulsion turbines, two turbo generators and two electric motors
Crew: 65 crew members + approx. 15 commandos
Availability: > 270 days per year

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/11/photos-naval-group-delivers-game-changing-new-submarine-suffren/

New French base patrol aircraft Dassault Falcon 2000 Albatros

On November 19, 2020, during a visit to the Dassault Aviation plant in Seclin (France), the Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly announced the issuance of a contract to this company for the creation and delivery of the first seven new base patrol aircraft Falcon 2000 Albatros for the French naval aviation under the program Avions de Surveillance et d'Intervention Maritime (AVSIMAR), which will be based on the large Dassault Falcon 2000 LXS business jets. Deliveries will begin in 2025.

In total, the French Navy plans to purchase 12 Falcon 2000 Albatros aircraft under the AVSIMAR program for use as "cheap" base patrol aircraft for the so-called "surveillance maritime" tasks - control of the economic zone and territorial waters, as well as for use in overseas territories. The aircraft will have equipment only for monitoring the surface situation. These aircraft should replace the Falcon 50MS aircraft, which are currently used in the French naval aviation in the same role, also made on the basis of Dassault business jets (eight units in the 24F aviation fleet, Lorian / Lannes-Bigot air base, one aircraft is permanently located in Dakar in Senegal) and the Falcon 200 Guardian (five aircraft in the 25F fleet based in Tahiti,

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4193270.html