Future of the French Navy

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French Navy modernization is pursued on the basis of successive Projet de loi de programmation militaire ("Military programme law projects).[1] These defence modernization plans are formulated on a rolling basis pursuant to strategic, political and budgetary factors and pressures. Current program modernizations are anchored in the commitment to replace the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle with a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier as well as in the commitment to maintain an ongoing force of at least 15 large frigate/destroyer sized ships (i.e. the "first rank" surface combatants).

Main article: List of French current frigates

Modernization also encompasses other core and supporting capabilities including: the ballistic-missile submarines of the national nuclear deterrent, the nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet, the patrol vessel force, mine warfare units, major support ships as well as French naval aviation and other naval weapon, sensor and reconnaissance systems.

As of 2021, principal modernization projects include:

Core Surface and Submarine Capabilities

  • 1 new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (PANG) to enter service in about 2038. In October 2018, the French Ministry of Defence launched an 18-month study for €40 million for the future replacement of the Charles de Gaulle beyond 2030. In December 2020, President Macron announced that construction would begin in around 2025 with sea trials to start in about 2036. The carrier is planned to have a displacement of around 75,000 tons and to carry about 32 next-generation fighters, two to three E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes and a yet-to-be-determined number of unmanned carrier air vehicles.[2]
  • 4 SNLE 3G Ballistic-missile nuclear-powered submarines (SSBN) - Studies were initiated in 2017 on the construction of a new class of SSBNs to renew the national nuclear deterrent in the 2030s. Current plans envisage the start of construction to begin in around 2023 with the first new SSBN to enter service between 2033 and 2035.[3][4] Deliveries of the three follow-on boats are expected to occur thereafter at five year intervals.[5]
  • 6 nuclear attack submarines of the Barracuda-class. The contract for the first three of these submarines was signed in 2006. The construction of the first boat in the class also began in 2006 and she was commissioned in 2020.[6] The additional boats in the class will enter service through the 2020s, with the sixth submarine planned for service entry in 2030.[7]
  • 8 FREMM multipurpose frigates – Eight ships were ordered as part of the 2003–08 defence programming law and a further three were planned to be ordered. Two ships are optimised for anti-aircraft warfare to replace two Horizon-class air defence frigates which were cancelled. Construction of the first ship in this class began in 2007 and she was commissioned in 2012.[8] In 2015 the order was limited to 8 ships in order to allow for the purchase of five FTI/FDI mid-size frigates, planned for delivery from 2024.[9][10] As of 2021, seven vessels are in service, with a final ship scheduled to follow in late 2022.[11]
  • 5 FTI/FDI (Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention) mid-size frigates from 2024.[9][10] Construction work on modules for the lead ship of the FDI class, Admiral Ronarc'h, began in October 2019[12] and vessel was formally laid down on 17 December 2021.[13]
  • 3 La Fayette-class general purpose frigates (La Fayette, Courbet and Aconit) are being fitted with a hull-mounted sonar as well as incorporating other improvements. The first vessel, Courbet, began her conversion refit in October 2020.[14] She returned to sea in June 2021.[15] La Fayette began her upgrade in October 2021.[16] Aconit is to complete her conversion refit by 2023.

Sovereignty Protection Vessels

  • 6 POM-type (Patrouilleur d’Outre-Mer) patrol vessels are to be delivered between 2023 and 2025 to protect the exclusive economic zone of French overseas territories in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.[17][18] Two ships each are to be based in New Caledonia, Tahiti and Réunion respectively.[19] The 80-metre ships will mount a Narwhal 20mm remote-controlled gun[20] and be able to accommodate 200-300 Kg rotary-wing UAVs.[21][22][23] The vessels were ordered in December 2019[24] and began construction in October 2020.[25] In May 2021, it was reported that the delivery of the first of these vessels would be delayed, from an originally planned in-service date of 2022, until 2023.[17] The lead ship of the class, Auguste Benebig, was launched at the Socarenam shipyard in Saint Malo on October 15, 2021. It is planned that the lead vessel of the class will be based with French naval forces in New Caledonia from 2023.[26]
  • 10 Patrouilleurs Océanique (PO) are planned to replace the navy's A-69 D'Estienne d'Orves-class avisos/offshore patrol vessels based in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and the PSP Flamant-class coast guard vessels based in Cherbourg. Initial delivery of the first PO vessels are planned for 2025. As of 2021, design concepts envisage a vessel of about 2,000-tons, with a maximum speed of 22 knots and endurance of 5500 nautical miles.[27] It is to be equipped with the Thales and Nexter 40mm RAPIDFire gun[28] and carrying a helicopter and/or UAVs (such as SMDM Aliaca).[29] The vessels are planned to carry both 3D air and surface radars as well as hull-mounted sonar to enable them to support the secure deployment of the French ballistic missile submarine fleet.[30][31]
  • The joint-European Patrol Corvette program is currently under consideration by France, Italy, Spain and Greece. For the French Navy it is envisaged that the vessel may replace the Navy's six Floréal-class surveillance frigates starting in about 2030.[32][33][34]

Mine Warfare Vessels

  • Replacement of current French Navy mine warfare vessels (Éridan-class minehunters, sonar towing vessels, EOD diver vessels) with the Système de lutte anti-mines futur (SLAM-F) is envisaged starting in 2023. Originally it was anticipated that delivery of the various systems would be completed by 2029. However, in 2021 it was indicated that some of the larger systems would be delayed likely into the next Loi de Programmation Militaire period (2026-2032 LPM) due to impacts arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.[35] When delivered, the system will consist of: 8x Unmanned systems (with four to be delivered by 2024); 6x motherships (“bâtiments de guerre des mines”); 5x EOD divers support vessels (“bâtiments base plongeurs démineurs nouvelle generation”); and, 1x Mine Warfare Data Operating System (SEDGM). Initial operating capability for the unmanned systems is envisaged from 2023 starting with shore-based elements.[36][37] The first unmanned Mine Warfare Prototype of the system was delivered in November 2021.[38]

Support Ships

  • 4 derivatives of Italy's Vulcano-class logistic support ship will be delivered to the French Navy between 2023 to 2029. They will replace the current Durance class support ships and will be able to carry fuel, arms and ammunition, spare parts and food. They will possess workshops to perform repairs and carry and support helicopters for maritime operations. The French vessels will be larger than their Italian counterparts with a greater requirement to carry aviation fuel.[39][40][41][42] The vessels will be known as the Jacques Chevallier-class in French service.[43] The lead ship of the class, Jacques Chevallier, began construction in May 2020.[44]

Landing Craft

  • 14 EDA-S Amphibious Standard Landing Craft (Engins de Débarquement Amphibie – Standards) have been ordered to replace CTM landing craft carried on the Mistral-class helicopter assault ships and to restore a light amphibious transport capability to French naval forces protecting certain of its overseas territories (Mayotte, New Caledonia, Martinique and French Guiana) and for operations around Djibouti. The vessels have a payload capacity of 65 to 80 tonnes and a maximum speed of 11 knots (at full load). The first two EDA-S vessels were delivered to the navy in November 2021.[45][46] Deliveries will continue up to 2025.[47]

Naval Aviation and Weapon System Modernization

  • Upgraded ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft with the “Standard 6” upgrade incorporating a new radar, new acoustic subsystem and other improvements. Eighteen aircraft are being upgraded starting in 2020 in order to remain operationally relevant up to 2030.[48] Three of the enhanced aircraft were delivered by mid-2020 and the system was declared to have reached initial operating capability in December 2020. Full operating capability was achieved in 2021 when the fifth of the upgraded aircraft was delivered. A sixth upgraded aircraft was delivered in December 2021.[49] Upgrades of the remaining aircraft in the fleet are to continue until 2024.[50][51]
  • Introduction of 49 H160M helicopters for the Navy starting in 2029;[52][53] six commercial H160s for search and rescue are to be delivered starting in May 2022[54]
  • Introduction of 3 E-2D advanced Hawkeye carrier-capable early warning aircraft starting in 2030 to replace the E-2C variant of the aircraft[55][56]
  • Introduction of 7 (with an eventual projected total of 12) Albatros Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Aircraft (AVSIMAR) starting in 2025[57][58]
  • Updated variants of the Exocet surface-to-surface missile
  • Upgrades of Aster and Sylver Vertical Launching Systems for anti-missile/anti-air defence
  • Introduction of land-attack cruise missiles (SCALP EG) in various surface, sub-surface and aviation platforms

Notes[]

  1. ^ (in French) Projet de loi programmation militaire pour les années 2003 à 2008 ==Retrieved on March 23, 2008.
  2. ^ "President Macron Announces Start of New French Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Program". 8 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Marine nationale : Les programmes qui vont façonner la future flotte française". February 2021.
  4. ^ "Naval Group Signs First Industrial Orders for the New Generation of French Navy SSBN". 30 June 2021.
  5. ^ "France launches program for third generation of SSBN SNLE 3G submarines for French Navy".
  6. ^ "New Suffren Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine officially commissioned by French Navy".
  7. ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
  8. ^ Saunders (2007), pg 245.
  9. ^ a b "France accelerates the FDI frigates program".
  10. ^ a b "Update to French Military Planning Law Means New Capabilities for Lafayette Class Frigates". Navy Recognition. 2015-05-21.
  11. ^ "FREMM : Sur le chantier de la frégate Lorraine à Lorient". 5 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Naval Group starts construction on France's newest frigate". 25 October 2019.
  13. ^ "French Naval Group holds keel-laying ceremony for first FDI frigate".
  14. ^ "Naval Group starts renovation and upgrade of French Navy Courbet la Fayette-class frigate".
  15. ^ "Première FLF rénovée, la frégate Courbet reprend la mer". 15 June 2021.
  16. ^ "First Upgraded la Fayette-class Frigate back into the French Fleet". 18 October 2021.
  17. ^ a b "La livraison du premier patrouilleur d'outre-mer repoussée à 2023". 21 May 2021.
  18. ^ "NEXEYA to Supply CMS for French Navy's POM Offshore Patrol Vessels". 8 May 2020.
  19. ^ https://www.defense.gouv.fr/salle-de-presse/communiques/communique_les-futurs-patrouilleurs-outre-mer-de-la-marine-nationale-porteront-les-noms-de-heros-ultramarins-de-la-france-libre
  20. ^ "Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels". 2 March 2020.
  21. ^ "French Navy's new POM OPVs Take Shape at Socarenam Shipyard". 29 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Socarenam unveils first photos of French Navy's new POM overseas patrol vessels". 5 January 2020.
  23. ^ "France confirms order for six new POM Offshore Patrol Vessels". 29 January 2020.
  24. ^ "France orders six patrol ships, equipped with drones and able to secure prisoners". 6 December 2019.
  25. ^ "SOCARENAM Begins Construction on French Navy's POM OPV". 9 October 2020.
  26. ^ "Socarenam Launches First POM OPV for French Navy". 17 October 2021.
  27. ^ "Naval Group secures design contract for French Navy's future ocean patrol vessels". 14 October 2021.
  28. ^ "RAPIDFire: Thales and Nexter to equip French Navy ships with new CIWS system". 27 October 2020.
  29. ^ "Airbus to Supply 'SMDM' Aliaca fixed-wing UAV to the French Navy". 11 February 2021.
  30. ^ "French Navy Ageing PHMS and PSPS Patrol Vessels to be Replaced with 10 new OPVs". 25 June 2020.
  31. ^ "Euronaval: First details of the Patrouilleurs Océanique (PO) platform unveiled". 23 October 2020.
  32. ^ "Spain officially joins European Patrol Corvette (EPC) program - Naval Post- Naval News and Information".
  33. ^ "Le ministère des Armées a commandé les six patrouilleurs outre-Mer promis à la Marine nationale". 4 December 2019.
  34. ^ "The PeSCo's European Patrol Corvette (EPC) programme gains momentum". 19 October 2020.
  35. ^ "Some French Naval Programs Will be Impacted by Latest Budget Update". 22 June 2021.
  36. ^ "France Launches SLAMF Mine Warfare Program but Many Questions Remain". 6 November 2020.
  37. ^ "French Navy begins broad revamp of its mine-hunting abilities". 6 November 2020.
  38. ^ "France Takes Delivery of First SLAMF Unmanned Mine Warfare Prototype". 8 December 2021.
  39. ^ "Construction Begins for French Navy's Next Gen Replenishment Tanker Chevallier-class 'BRF'". 18 May 2020.
  40. ^ "Jacques Chevallier-Class Logistic Support Ships, France".
  41. ^ "Marine nationale : Le BRF Jacques Chevallier sera livré en 2023". 14 April 2021.
  42. ^ Cabirol, Michel (15 June 2018). "Pétrolier ravitailleur : la France monte à bord du programme italien Vulcano". Le Tribune.
  43. ^ "French Navy Decommissions Second Durance-Class Replenishment Vessel". 2 July 2021.
  44. ^ "Saint-Nazaire. La ministre Florence Parly aux Chantiers de l'Atlantique".
  45. ^ "French Navy receives two EDA-S Amphibious Standard Landing Crafts".
  46. ^ "First Two EDA-S Next Gen Amphibious Landing Craft Delivered to French DGA". 25 November 2021.
  47. ^ "French Navy EDA-S landing craft successfully conclude end-user evaluations".
  48. ^ "French Navy Received First Two Upgraded ATL2s Maritime Patrol Aircraft". 30 October 2019.
  49. ^ https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/01/french-navy-receives-sixth-upgraded-atl2-maritime-patrol-aircraft/
  50. ^ "French Navy's Upgraded ATL2 MPA Reaches IOC". 23 December 2020.
  51. ^ "French Navy Receives Fifth Upgraded ATL 2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft". 8 June 2021.
  52. ^ "French MoD Orders 169 HIL Guépard from Airbus Helicopters". 23 December 2021.
  53. ^ "Airbus H160M on Course for 2026 Service Entry".
  54. ^ "French Navy will receive two more Airbus Helicopters H160s".
  55. ^ https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/la-mise-en-service-des-e-2d-francais-prevue-en-2030
  56. ^ "France confirms order for 3 US-made E-2D Advanced Hawkeye carrier-capable early warning aircraft".
  57. ^ "Falcon 2000 Albatros for the French Navy – SeaWaves Magazine".
  58. ^ https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2022/january/11236-atos-to-equip-future-surveillance-aircraft-falcon-2000-albatros-with-develops-video-system.html

References[]

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