Guided missile Frigates 1971-2013: FS Tourville, Duguay-Trouin, De Grasse D610-612 +2 more cancelled Called the F67 type, also known as the Tourville class, these ships were a class of three large high-sea (blue water) Frigates specialized in anti-submarine warfare, but keeping anti-air and anti-surface capabilities (ASUW). Large enough to be cruisers, like the previous Suffren … Read more
ASW Frigate, F65 1973-1997 FS Aconit was a planned class of cheap but well armed, versatile Frigate, but ended as a single frigate built for the Marine Nationale in the Cold War when the program was cancelled. She was built in 1968-73, in commission until 1997. She was designed around the idea of a cheap, … Read more
Aircraft Carrier 1946-1974 The Aircraft Carrier Arromanches was the ex-HMS Colossus, lead ship of the famous 1942 light fleet aircraft carrier program. She was loaned in 1946 for five years to the Marine Nationale, made two tours of duties over Indochina until purchased in 1951, refitted. She served for two more tours and was back … Read more
FS Suffren, FS Duquesne 1962-2008 The Suffren class were two missile fleet escorts of the French Navy, assigned to the new French aircraft carrier groups based around Foch and Clemenceau. They had to protect the fleet against air, surface and submarine threats and first French ships specifically designed as guided missile destroyers. Ordered in 1960, … Read more
French Navy (1962-95), T56 design, D638 The T53 (Duperré) class destroyers succeeded to the the T47 or (Surcouf class), five being built before developments on missiles urged the conversion of what became the first French missile destroyer, La Galissonnière (1960), sole of the T56 class, initially the 6th of these. They were testbeds before the … Read more
French Navy (1949-70), Rebuilt Battleship Backstory: An unfinished battleship in WW2 FS Jean Bart was the sister ship of Richelieu, the last class of French battleships. And if the first was barely completed when the 1940 summer offensive commenced, the second still was months ahead before completion. She had to sail out in emergency from … Read more
French Navy (1954-92), T53 design. Duperré, La Bourdonnais, Forbin, Tartu, Jauréguiberry D633-637 Second class of postwar destroyers built for the Marine Nationale, the T53 were an improvement of the T47 (Surcouf class), only five being built before French developments on missiles led to La Galissonnière (1960), the initial 6th T53 (now T56), and the Suffren … Read more
French Navy (1988-today). CATOBAR Carrier The European Nuclear Carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (Ex-Richelieu) was designed back in 1975 as a successor of the Clemenceau class, two fleet carriers built in the late 1950s. She was to be the lead ship of a class of two, only one was completed. FS Charles De Gaulle was … Read more
Fleet Carriers French Navy (1957) For this 14 of july 2022, French national holiday, here is the Clemenceau class carriers: Clemenceau and Foch were the first purpose-designed aircraft carriers in France since the Joffre class in 1938. They were somewhat inspired by the modernized Essex class, and became the only CATOBAR carriers in Europe in … Read more
French Navy Cruiser (1953) rebuilt as missile cruiser, active until 1991. The last French cruiser With the start of the cold war France still possessed a number of cruisers and a modernized battleship (Jean Bart), which provided cover for its aircraft carriers. In 1946 was launched her last prewar unfinished cruiser, the De Grasse completely … Read more
