[Olefin]

Originally Posted by Rainbow Six

OK, a stab at the French Naval Forces in the region:

Jeanne D’Arc (R97) – helicopter cruiser
Armament
• 1 x MM38 Exocet Anti Ship Missile Launcher
• 4 x 100mm guns
Helicopters: 8 x Super Frelon

Georges Leygues (D640) – Anti Submarine Frigate
Armament
• 1 x Crotale EDIR Anti Air Missile Launcher
• 2 x Simbad Anti Air Missile Launchers
• 1 x 100mm gun
• 2 x 20mm guns
• 1 x MM38 Exocet Anti Ship Missile Launcher
• 2 x Torpedo Tubes
Helicopters: 2 x Westland Lynx

Provides specialised anti sub capability with back up anti air role (according to wiki, Georges Leygues usualy accompanied Jeanne D'Arc on ops)

La Fayette (F710) – Frigate
Armament
• 1 x MM40 Exocet Anti Ship Missile Launcher
• 1 x 100mm gun
• 2 x 20mm guns
• 1 x Crotale CN2 Anti Air Missile Launcher
Helicopter: 1 x Eurocopter Panther

Stealth Frigate, commissioned 1996 - gives additional anti air capability

Jean Bart (D615) – Anti Air Frigate
Armament
• 1 x SM-1MR Anti Air Missile Launcher
• 2 x Mistral CIWS Anti Air Missile Launchers
• 2 x L5 Torpedo Tubes
• 1 x MM40 Exocet Anti Ship Missile Launcher
• 1 x 100mm gun
• 2 x 20mm anti aircraft guns
Helicopter: 1 x Eurocopter Panther

Specialised anti air capability (and the only ship we know is there)

Orage (L9022) – Landing Platform Dock
Armament
• 2 x Simbad Anti Air Missile Launchers
• 2 x 30mm anti aircraft guns
Helicopters: 4 x Super Frelon

Somme (A631) – Replenishment Oiler
Armament
• 1 x 40mm gun
• 1 x Simbad Anti Air Missile Launcher

Améthyste (S605) – Submarine
Armament
• 4 x Torpedo Tubes

So, that gives a helo carrier, an anti sub frigate, an anti air frigate, a "generalised" frigate, a specialised landing platform for amphibious ops, a supply ship, and a sub.

Thoughts?

That is a very balanced and realistic French squadron for the Middle East - and I think the submarine is a good inclusion. Clearly the French should still have. What you have there supports all the missions that they have and definitely has the anti-air assets you would need to survive in one of the few areas where the Soviet air threat is very real and still very capable.

Add in the landing ship and oiler and you have a very capable group that can project power, support both naval and land operations, give their troops good flexiblity as to naval landings and would give anyone planning an air attack on them a very very bloody nose indeed.

Plus considering the size of the French Navy it would show a clear committment to the region while not weakening them in areas like the Med and the English Channel or off the coast of Senegal that they clearly (from canon modules) are making places they want to control.