The French Navy in Twilight, Part I

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Source is the “Combat Fleets of the World: 1993”

The French Navy in Twilight 2000

Personnel: 65,295 active duty.

Naval Aviation: 19 F-8E Crusaders interceptors, 59 Super Etendard fighter-bombers, 11 Etendard IVP recon, 26 Alize ASW, 7 Atlantique Mk2 maritime patrol, 37 Atlantic Mk1 maritime patrol, 5 Guardian maritime patrol aircraft. 16 Super Frelon, 36 Lynx and 12 Dauphin helos.

0 + 1 Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carriers
Charles de Gaulle-class
R 91 Charles de Gaulle
Displacement of 36,000 tons. Speed of 27kts. Crew of 1,900 + 550 air group + 800 troops. Armament consists of two sixteen-cell Aster VLS SAM launchers, two six-cell Sadral point defense SAM launchers, eight single 20mm AA Guns. Air group of 24 Rafale, 4 E-2C, 8 Lynx ASW helos. Not slatted to enter service until 1998, plans for a second, not to be in service until 2005. Due to restrictive size of flight deck, cannot land or launch aircraft at same time.

2 Clemenceau-class Aircraft Carriers
R 98 Clemenceau; R 99 Foch
Displacement of 32,700 tons. Speed of 32kts. Crew of 1,338 + 582 Air Group as carriers; 984 + 582 Air Group + 600 troops as helo carrier. Armament consists of two eight cell Crotale SAM launchers, four single 100mm M53. Air Group of 15 Super Etendard, 8 F-8E Crusader, 4 Etendard IV P recon, 8 Alize ASW, 2 Dauphin helos, 2 Super Frelon helos OR 30-40 Super Puma, Puma and Gazelle. One operates as ac carrier while the other operates as a helo carrier, and they switch roles every couple of years. Slatted to be retired as the Charles de Gaulle-class comes on line.

1 Jeanne d’Arc Helicopter Cruiser
R 97 Jeanne d’Arc
Displacement of 13,270 tons. Speed of 26.5kts. Crew of 627 + 140 officer cadets. Armament consists of two triple MM38 Exocet, four single 100mm M53, four single 12.7mm HMGs. Air group of 8 Super Frelon, Dauphin or Lynx helos. A cadet training ship in peacetime and a ASW cruiser during war. Slatted to be retried in 2005.

0 + 2 + 2 Le Triomphant-class Strategic Ballistic Missile Nuclear-Power Submarines
S 616 Le Triomphant; S 617 Le Temeraire
Displacement of 12,640/14,120 tons. Speed of 15/25kts. Crew of 110. Armament consists of sixteen M45 SLBM, four 533mm torpedo tubes (Exocet and torpedoes). The new generation of French submarines, slatted to enter service in 1994 and 1996, with two further sisters slatted for 1998 and 2000

1 L’Inflexible-class Strategic Ballistic Missile Nuclear-Powered Submarines
S 614 L’Inflexible
Displacement of 8,080/8,920 tons. Speed of 15/25kts. Crew of 135 men. Armament consists of 1sixteen M4 SLBM, four 533mm torpedo tubes (Exocet and torpedoes). Modified Le Redoutable-class SSBN, used as test bed for propulsion, sonar systems, navigation systems.

4 Le Redoutable-class Strategic Ballistic Missile Nuclear-Powered Submarines
S 612 Le Terrible; S 610 Le Foudroyant; S 613 L’Indomptable; S 614 Le Tonnant
Displacement of 8,000/9,000 tons. Speed of 14/20kts. Crew of 130. Armament consists of sixteen M4 SLBM, four 550mm torpedo tubes (Exocet and Torpedoes). Sister S 612 Le Redoutable completed last patrol in 1991 and was stricken 12-91. To be replaced by the new Le Triomphant-class SSBNs.

1 +2 Amethyste-class Nuclear-Powered Submarines
S 605 Amethyste; S 606 Perle; S 607 Turquoise
Displacement of 2,400/2,660 tons. Speed of 15/28kts. Crew of 66 men. Armament consists of 4 533mm torpedo tubes (Exocet and torpedoes). New class with reduced radiated noise machinery, supposedly the quietest French nuke boats yet.

4 Rubis-class Nuclear-Powered Submarines
S 601 Rubis; S 602 Saphir; S 603 Casabianca; S 604 Emeraude
Displacement of 2,385/2,670 tons. Speed of 12/25kts. Crew of 66. Armament consists of four 533mm torpedo tubes (Exocet and torpedoes). To be modernized to Amethyste-class standard in 1991-1995 time frame.

4 Agosta-class Diesel-Electric Submarines
S 620 Agosta, S 621 Beveziers, S 622 La Praya, S 623 Ouessant
Displacement of 1,490/1,740 tons. Speed of 12.5/20.5kts. Crew of 54. Armament consists of four 550mm torpedo tubes (Exocet and torpedoes). Modernized versions of the Daphne-class, very quiet. Fitted with larger capacity batteries and has twice the underwater endurance of the Daphne-class. Four were built for Spain and two for Pakistan. Planned to be stricken in 2002-2005.

4 Daphne-class Diesel-Electric Submarines
S 643 Doris, S 648 Junon; S 650 Psyche; S 651 Sirene
Displacement of 869/1,043 tons.Speed of 13.5/16kts. Crew of 45. Armament consists of 12 550mm torpedo tubes 8 few, 4 aft, no reloads). Survivors of a class of eleven, two (Minerve and Eurydice) were lost in 1968 and 1970, respectively, remainder stricken Diane (1987), Daphne (1989), Venus (1990), Flore (1989), and Galatee (1991). Last four are kept in serve due to delays in the Amethyste-class construction, to be stricken in 1992-2000. Widely exported with Portugal (4), Pakistan (4), South Africa (3), Spain (4). S 651 flooded and sank (1972) but salvaged.

1 Narval-class Diesel-Electric Submarine (Trials)
S 633 Dauphin
Displacement of 1,635/1,910 tons. Speed of 15/18kts. Crew of 64. Unarmed. Used to test sonar and electronic systems. To be stricken in 1992.

2 Cassard-class C70 AA Guided-Missile Destroyers
D 614 Cassard; D 615 Jean Bart
Displacement of
Speed of
Crew of
Armament consists of two quad MM40 Exocet SSM launchers, one single Mk13 Standard MR SAM launcher, two quad Sadral point defense SAM launchers, one single 100mm M68 gun, two single 20mm AA guns, four single 12.7mm HMGs, two single 533mm ASW torpedo tubes, 1 Lynx helo. Two sisters were slatted to be built (1983), but were canceled due to budget restrictions (1984).

7 Georges Leygues-class C70 ASW Guided Missile Destroyers
D 640 Georges Leygues; D 641 Dupleix; D 642 Montcalm; D 643 Jean de Vienne; D 644 Primauguet; D 645 La Motte-Pucquet; D 646 Latouche-Treville
Displacement of 3,550 tons. Speed of 30kts. Crew of 216. Armament consists of two twin MM38 Exocet launchers, one eight-cell Crotale SAM launcher, one sigle 100mm M68 gun, two single 20mm AA guns, two single 12.7mm HMGs, two single 533mm ASW torpedo tubes, 2 Lynx helos. Slatted to receive the Milas ASW missile launcher and the Aster 15 SAM launcher in future refits.

3 Tourville-class F67 Guided-Missile Destroyers
D 610 Tourville; D 611 Dugay-Trouin; D 612 De Grasse
Displacement of 5,885 tons. Speed of 32kts. Crew of 282. Armament consists of two triple MM39 Exocet launchers, one eight-cell Crotale launcher, two single 100mm M68 guns, two single 20mm AA guns, one single Malafon ASW launcher, two single 533mm torpedo tubes, 2 Lynx helos. Slatted to recive the Milas ASW launcher (replacing the Malafon), as well as different sonars/radars, sometime in the 1993-95 time frame.

2 Suffren-class Guided-Missile Destroyers
D 602 Suffren; D 603 Duquesne
Displacement of 6,780 tons. Speed of 34kts. Crew of 355. Armament consists of two twin MM38 Exocet launchers, one twin Masurca SAM launcher, two single 100mm M64 guns, four single 20mm AA guns, two single 12.7mm HMGs, one Malafon ASW launcher, two single 533mm ASW torpedo tubes. Just completed their last modernization refit, slatted to be decommissioned in 1998 and 2000.

1 Aconit-class F64 Destroyer
D 609 Aconit
Displacement of 3,870 tons. Speed of 27kts. Crew of 232. Armament consists of two quad MM40 Exocet launchers, two single 100mm M68 Guns, one Malafon ASW launcher, two single 533mm ASW torpedo tubes.

1 Duperre-class T-53 Destroyer
D 633 Duperre
Displacement of 3,740 tons. Speed of 34kts. Crew of 259. Armament consists of two twin MM38 Exocet, one single 100mm M68 gun, two single 20mm AA guns, two single 533mm torpedo tubes, 1 Lynx helo. Slatted to be discarded in 1992.

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0 + 3 + 3 La Fayette-class Frigates
F 710 La Fayette; F 711 Surcouf; F 712 Courbet
Displacement of 3,280 tons. Speed of 25kts. Crew of 139 + 25 commandos. Armament consists of two quad MM40 Exocet launchers, one eight-cell Crotale launcher, one single 100mm M68 gun, two single 20mm AA guns, two single 12.7mm HMGs, 1 Lynx or NH-90 helo. New “modular” frigate intended for overseas sales, and patrol duties. Has no ASW weapons or sonars. Plans for two eight-cell Aster 15 point defense SAM launchers to be fitted later. To be in service 1995-1996 (first three), remainder 1998-2000.

1 + 5 Floreal-class Surveillance Frigates
F 730 Floreal; F 731 Prairial; F 732 Nivose; F 733 Ventose, F 734 Vendemiaire; F 735 Germinal
Displacement of 2,950 tons. Speed of 20kts. Crew of 80. Armament consists of two twin MM40 Exocet launchers, one single 100mm M68 gun, two twin Simbad point defense SAM launchers, 1 Dauphin helo. Remainder of class to be in service 1992-94 time frame. Intended fro use in “low-risk areas” such as ocean surveillance, economic exclusion zone patrol, fisheries protection and maritime protection. Built to commercial and not military standards. Has accommodations for additional 24 commandos and 13 passengers.

17 D’Estienne d’Orves-class A-69 Frigates
F 781 D’Estienne d’Orves; F 782 Amyot d’Inville; F 783 Drogou; F 784 Detroyat; F 785 Jean Moulin; F 786 Quartier-Maitre Anquentil; F 787 Commandant de Pimodan; F 788 Second Maitre le Bihan; F 789 Lieutenant de Vaisseau le Henaff; F 790 Lieutenant de Vaisseau Lavallee; F 791 Commandant L’Herminier; F 792 Premier Maitre L’Her; F 793 Commandant Blaison; F 794 Enseigne de Vaisseai Jacoubet; F 795 Commandant Ducuing;
F 796 Commandant Birot; F 797 Commandant Bouan
Displacement of 1,250 to 1,330 tons. Speed of 23.3kts. Crew of 92. Armament consists of two twin MM38 or MM40 Exocet launchers, one single 100mm M68 gun, two single 20mm AA guns, two or four single 12.7mm HMGs, one six-tube 375mm ASW mortar, two twin 533mm ASW torpedo tubes. Very economical ships designed for coastal ASW duties. Can carry an additional 18 commandos.

1 Modified Commandant Riviere-class Frigate
F 729 Balny
Displacement of 2,150 tons. Speed of 26kts. Crew of 169. Armament consists of two single 100mm M53 guns, two single 40mm Bofors AA guns, one vour-barreled 305mm ASW mortar, two triple 550mm ASW torpedo tubes. Test ship for the CODAG (Combined Gas Turbine and Diesel Plant) power plant. To be retired in 1995.

3 Commandant Riviere-class Frigates
F 726 Commandant Bory; F 748 Protet; F 749 Enseigne de Vaisseau Henry
Displacement of 2,170 tns. Speed of 26kts. Crew of 166. Armament consists of four single MM38 Exocet launchers, two single 100mm M63 guns, two single 40mm Bofors AA guns, one four-barreled 305mm ASW mortar, two triple 550mm tASW torpedo tubes. Older escort vessels, slatted to be discarded by 1995.

1 Grebe-class Patrol Boat
P 679 Grebe
Displacement of 320 tons. Speed of 24kts. Crew of 19. Armament consists of two single 12.7mm HMGs. Used for fisheries protection. Can carry an additional 5 passengers.

1 Iris-class Patrol Boat
P 696 Iris
Displacement of 230 tons. Speed of 23kts. Crew of 10. Armament consists of one twin 35mm AA guns, one eight-cell Crotale launcher. Technology demonstrator for new electronic systems and a new, modular, Crotale launcher.

10 L’Audacieuse-class Patrol Boats
P 682 L’Audacieuse; P 683 La Boudeuse; P 684 La Capricieuse; P 685 La Fougueuse; P 686 La Glorieuse; P 687 La Gracieuse; P 688 La Moqueuse;
P 689 La Railleuse; P 690 La Rieuse; P 691 La Tapageuse
Displacement of 477 tons. Speed of 24kts. Crew of 24 + 20 passengers. Armament consists of one single 40mm Bofors AA gun, one single 20mm AA gun. Equipped for fire fighting, SAR and anti-pollution.

1 Sterne-class Patrol Boat
P 680 Sterne
Displacement of 340 tons. Speed of 20kts. Crew of 16. Armament consists of two single 12.7mm HMGs. Built to commercial specs, used for fisheries patrol duties.

4 Trident-class Patrol Boats
P 670 Trident; P 671 Glaive; P 672 Epee; P 673 Pertuisane
Displacement of 150 tons. Speed of 28kts. Crew of 18. Armament consists of one single 30mm Bofors AA guns, two single 12.7mm HMGs. Thirty were planned, then fourteen, but only four were built.

10 Tripartite-class Minehunters
M 641 Eridan; M 642 Cassiopee; M 643 Andromede; M 644 Pegade; M 645 Croix du Sud; M 647 Aigle; M 648 Lyre; M 649 Persee; M 650 Sagittaire
Displacement of 605 tons. Speed of 15kts. Crew of 49. Armament consists of one single 20mm AA guns, two single 12.7mm HMGs. In service with France, Belgium and Holland. Has two PAP-104 remote-controlled mine hunting submersibles as well as a 6-man team of mine clearance divers.

5 Circe-class Minehunters
M 712 Cybele; M 713 Calliope; M 714 Clio; M 715 Circe; M 716 Ceres
Displacement of 508 tons. Speed of 15kts. Crew of 47. Armament consists of one single 20mm AA gun. Has a 6-man team of min eclearance divers and a PAP-104 remote-controlled mine hunting submersible.

3 ex US Agile-class Minesweepers
M 610 Ouistreham; M 612 Alencon; M 623 Baccarat
Displacement of 780 tons. Speed of 13.5kts. Crew of 58. Armament consists of one single 40mm Bofors AA gun. Remains of a class of eight. To be discard 1995-2000.

1 TCD-90 Dock Landing Ship
L 9011 Foudre
Displacement of 11,880 tons. Speed of 21kts. Crew of 210 + 470 troops. Armament consists of two six-cell Sadral SAM launchers, one single 40mm AA gun, two single 20mm AA guns, four single 12.7mm HMGs, 4 Super Puma helos. Carries two LCVP landing craft as well as up to 1,090 tons of cargo.

1 BTMS Small Dock Landing Ship
L 9077 Bougainville
Displacement of 4,870 tons. Speed of 15kts. Crew of 53 + 60 troops. Armament consists of two single 12.7mm HMG and 2 Super Puma helos. Carries up to forty standard 20-ft cargo containers

2 Ouragan-class Dock Landing Ships
L 9021 Ouragan; L 9022 Orage
Displacement of 8,500 tons. Speed of 17.3kts. Crew of 211 + 470 troops. Armament consists of four single 40mm AA guns. Can support up to 8 LCM(8) landing craft or 1,500 tons of cargo.

5 Champlain-class Medium Landing Ships
L 9030 Champlain; L 9031 Francis Garnier; L 9032 Dumount D’Urville; L 9033 Jacques Cartier; L 9034 La Grandiere
Displacement of 1,386 tons. Speed of 16kts. Crew of 44 + 180 troops. Armament consists of two single 20mm AA guns, two single 12.7mm HMGs.

2 CDIC Tank Landing Craft
Displacement of 600 tons. Speed of 10kts. Crew of 18. Armament consists of two single 20mm AA guns, two single 12.7mm HMGs. Can carry up to 336 tons of cargo.

2 EDIC 700-class Tank Landing Craft
Displacement of 736 tons. Speed of 12kts. Crew of 16. Armament consists of two single 20mm AA guns, two single 12.7mm HMGs. Can carry up to 340 tons of cargo.

4 EDIC-class Tank Landing Craft
Displacement of 670 tons. Speed of 8kts. Crew of 17. Armament consists of two single 20mm AA guns. Slatted for disposal in 1992-94.

22 US LCM(8)-class Landing Craft
Displacement of 150 tons. Speed of 9.5kts. Crew of 6. Armament consists of two single 12.7mm HMGs. Cargo capacity of 90 tons.

20 LCVP-class Landing Craft
Displacement of 13 tons. Speed of 8kts. Crew of 6. Unarmed. Cargo capacity of 3.5 tons or 36 troops.

Source is the “Combat Fleets of the World: 1993”