Future of the French Navy

French Navy modernization is pursued on the basis of successive Projet de loi de programmation militaire ("Military programme law projects – LPM).[1] These defence modernization plans are formulated on a rolling basis pursuant to strategic, political and budgetary factors and pressures. The latest LPM covers the period 2024 to 2030 and is organized around four strategic priorities: strengthening deterrence, preparation for high intensity operations, protecting interests in all French territories and key domains and strengthening international partnerships.[2]

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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 2023, principal modernization projects include:

Core Surface and Sub-Surface Capabilities
  • 1 new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (PANG) – Vessel 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.[3]
  • 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 2023 with the first new SSBN to enter service in about 2035.[4][5][6] Deliveries of the three follow-on boats are expected to occur thereafter at five year intervals.[7]
  • 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.[8] The additional boats in the class will enter service through the 2020s, with the sixth submarine planned for service entry in 2030.[9]
  • 5 FTI/FDI (Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention) mid-size frigates from 2024 [10][11] – Construction work on modules for the lead ship of the FDI class, Admiral Ronarc'h, began in October 2019.[12] She was formally laid down on 17 December 2021[13] and launched in November 2022.[14] The FDI program follows on the construction of 8 FREMM multipurpose frigates for the navy, the first of which was delivered in 2012 and the last in 2022.[15] In 2015 the order of FREMM-class units was limited to 8 ships and it was decided to proceed with the purchase of the five FTI/FDI mid-size frigates instead.[10][11]
  • Modernization of 3 La Fayette-class general purpose frigates (La Fayette, Courbet and Aconit) – three ships of this existing class 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.[16] She returned to sea in June 2021.[17] La Fayette began her upgrade in October 2021 and in November 2022 was declared fully operational with her new systems.[18][19][20] Aconit began her conversion refit in February 2023.[21]

Sovereignty Protection Vessels
  • 6 POM-type (Patrouilleur Outre-mer) patrol vessels – these vessels are being delivered between 2023 and 2025 to protect the exclusive economic zone of French overseas territories in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.[22][23] Two ships each are to be based in New Caledonia, Tahiti and Réunion respectively.[24] The vessels were ordered in December 2019[25] and began construction in October 2020.[26] 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.[22] The lead ship of the class, Auguste Benebig, was launched at the Socarenam shipyard in Saint Malo on October 15, 2021, and began sea trials in July 2022.[27] She arrived in New Caledonia in April 2023 where she is to be based.[28][29]
  • 7 Patrouilleurs Hauturiers (PH) – this class is 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 concepts envisaged 10 ocean-going patrol vessels of about 2,000-tons with initial delivery planned for 2025.[30][31][32][33] However, for cost reasons the concept has been scaled back to only 7 ships of somewhat more limited capability, equipped with the Thales and Nexter 40mm RAPIDFire gun,[34] but with delivery now envisaged as starting in 2026.[35]
  • The joint-European Patrol Corvette program – currently under consideration by several European states including France. For the French Navy it is envisaged that the vessel may replace the Navy's six Floréal-class surveillance frigates starting in about 2030.[36][37][38]

Mine Warfare Vessels
  • Système de lutte anti-mines futur (SLAM-F) – Various systems have been ordered to replace current French Navy mine warfare vessels (Éridan-class minehunters, sonar towing vessels, EOD diver vessels). 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.[39] 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 late 2023 starting with shore-based elements.[40][41][42] The first unmanned Mine Warfare Prototype of the system was delivered in November 2021.[43] At Euronaval 2022 a partnership was signed between the Belgian, Dutch and French navies to enhance cooperation between them. As a result, the French Navy will order six variant ships based on the City-class, via the SLAM-F program in 2023.[44][45]

Support Ships
  • 4 ships of the Jacques Chevallier-class – these vessels are derivatives of Italy's Vulcano-class logistic support ship and three are to be delivered to the French Navy between 2023 and 2027. In 2023, it was decided that the potential fourth ship of the class was to be delayed beyond 2030.[46] 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.[47][48][49][50] The vessels will be known as the Jacques Chevallier-class in French service.[51] The lead ship of the class, Jacques Chevallier, began construction in May 2020.[52] She was launched in April 2022,[53] began sea trials in December[54] and was delivered in March 2023.[55] The second ship of the class (Jacques Stosskopf) began construction in February 2022.[56]

Landing Craft
  • 14 EDA-S Amphibious Standard Landing Craft (Engins de Débarquement Amphibie – Standards) – the craft 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 (Arbalète and Arquebuse) were delivered to the navy in November 2021[57][58] and entered service in July 2022. The next four in the program are intended for the naval base at Toulon and are to start delivery in mid-2023.[59] Deliveries will continue up to 2025.[60]
  • 18 ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft are being upgraded to 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 2035.[61][62] 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, a seventh in April 2022[63][64] and the eighth and ninth were received in July.[65] Upgrades of the remaining aircraft in the fleet are to continue until 2024.[66][67] In November 2022, the upgraded aircraft was said to have reached the milestone of being able to perform the entire spectrum of missions assigned to it.[61]
  • 49 H160M helicopters are to be supplied to the Navy starting in 2029;[68][69] six commercial H160s for search and rescue started delivery in May 2022[70][71] Pending the delivery of the H160M, the French Navy has leased twelve Dauphin N3 helicopters as part of an interim helicopter fleet which will serve through the 2020s.[72]
  • 3 E-2D advanced Hawkeye carrier-capable early warning aircraft will be introduced starting in 2030 to replace the E-2C variant of the aircraft[73][74]
  • 7 (with an eventual projected total of 12) Albatros Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Aircraft (AVSIMAR) will be procured starting in 2025[75][76]
  • Upgraded variants of the Exocet surface-to-surface missile are being delivered, principally the Block 3c variant of the missile starting in December 2022
  • Aster and Sylver Vertical Launching Systems for anti-missile/anti-air defence are being procured[77]
  • SCALP EG land-attack cruise missiles are being deployed in surface (the ASW/land-attack variant of the Aquitaine-class frigate), sub-surface (the Barracuda-class submarine) and aviation (Rafale M carrier-based aircraft) platforms.

Notes
  1. (in French) Projet de loi programmation militaire pour les années 2003 à 2008 ==Retrieved on March 23, 2008.
  2. "LPM 2024–2030 : 413 milliards d'euros pour « transformer » les armées". ministère des Armées. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  3. "President Macron Announces Start of New French Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Program". 8 December 2020.
  4. "Cherbourg. La livraison du Duguay-Trouin, 2e sous-marin Barracuda, programmée".
  5. "Marine nationale : Les programmes qui vont façonner la future flotte française". February 2021.
  6. "Naval Group Signs First Industrial Orders for the New Generation of French Navy SSBN". 30 June 2021.
  7. "France launches program for third generation of SSBN SNLE 3G submarines for French Navy".
  8. "New Suffren Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine officially commissioned by French Navy".
  9. "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
  10. "France accelerates the FDI frigates program".
  11. "Update to French Military Planning Law Means New Capabilities for Lafayette Class Frigates". Navy Recognition. 2015-05-21.
  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 Floats First New FDI Frigate for the French Navy". 7 November 2022.
  15. https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/actualites/marine-prend-charge-fremm-da-lorraine
  16. "Naval Group starts renovation and upgrade of French Navy Courbet la Fayette-class frigate".
  17. "Première FLF rénovée, la frégate Courbet reprend la mer". 15 June 2021.
  18. "TOULON : Mise en service opérationnel de la frégate la Fayette rénovée » la lettre économique et politique de PACA".
  19. "Rénovée, la frégate la Fayette reprend la mer | Mer et Marine". 19 May 2022.
  20. "First Upgraded la Fayette-class Frigate back into the French Fleet". 18 October 2021.
  21. Groizeleau, Vincent (10 February 2023). "Naval Group débute la rénovation de la frégate Aconit". Mer et Marine. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  22. "La livraison du premier patrouilleur d'outre-mer repoussée à 2023". 21 May 2021.
  23. "NEXEYA to Supply CMS for French Navy's POM Offshore Patrol Vessels". 8 May 2020.
  24. "Communiqué_Les futurs patrouilleurs outre-mer de la Marine nationale porteront les noms de héros ultramarins de la France libre". Archived from the original on 2021-09-05. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  25. "France orders six patrol ships, equipped with drones and able to secure prisoners". 6 December 2019.
  26. "SOCARENAM Begins Construction on French Navy's POM OPV". 9 October 2020.
  27. "Socarenam begins sea trials of the First POM OPV". 27 July 2022.
  28. "EN IMAGES. L'arrivée du patrouilleur "Auguste-Bénébig" à Nouméa". nouvellecaledonie (in French). 3 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  29. "Socarenam Launches First POM OPV for French Navy". 17 October 2021.
  30. "Naval Group secures design contract for French Navy's future ocean patrol vessels". 14 October 2021.
  31. "Airbus to Supply 'SMDM' Aliaca fixed-wing UAV to the French Navy". 11 February 2021.
  32. "French Navy Ageing PHMS and PSPS Patrol Vessels to be Replaced with 10 new OPVs". 25 June 2020.
  33. "Euronaval: First details of the Patrouilleurs Océanique (PO) platform unveiled". 23 October 2020.
  34. "RAPIDFire: Thales and Nexter to equip French Navy ships with new CIWS system". 27 October 2020.
  35. Groizeleau, Vincent (13 March 2023). "La Marine nationale n'obtiendrait que 7 nouveaux patrouilleurs hauturiers au lieu des 10 prévus". Mer et Marine.
  36. "Spain officially joins European Patrol Corvette (EPC) program – Naval Post- Naval News and Information". 11 May 2020.
  37. "Le ministère des Armées a commandé les six patrouilleurs outre-Mer promis à la Marine nationale". 4 December 2019.
  38. "The PeSCo's European Patrol Corvette (EPC) programme gains momentum". edrmagazine. 19 October 2020.
  39. "Some French Naval Programs Will be Impacted by Latest Budget Update". 22 June 2021.
  40. "A la découverte du système de drones de Thales de lutte contre les mines | Mer et Marine". 11 July 2022.
  41. "France Launches SLAMF Mine Warfare Program but Many Questions Remain". 6 November 2020.
  42. "French Navy begins broad revamp of its mine-hunting abilities". 6 November 2020.
  43. "France Takes Delivery of First SLAMF Unmanned Mine Warfare Prototype". 8 December 2021.
  44. "Frankrijk wil (bijna) zelfde mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuigen als Nederland en België" (in Dutch). Marineschepen. 2022-10-19. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  45. "Mine Warfare: France, Belgium And Netherlands Seal Partnership". Naval News. 2022-10-20. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  46. Groizeleau, Vincent (13 April 2023). "Dernière navigation pour le BCR Marne, qui passe le flambeau au BRF Jacques Chevallier". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  47. "Construction Begins for French Navy's Next Gen Replenishment Tanker Chevallier-class 'BRF'". 18 May 2020.
  48. "Jacques Chevallier-Class Logistic Support Ships, France".
  49. "Marine nationale : Le BRF Jacques Chevallier sera livré en 2023". 14 April 2021.
  50. Cabirol, Michel (15 June 2018). "Pétrolier ravitailleur : la France monte à bord du programme italien Vulcano". Le Tribune.
  51. "French Navy Decommissions Second Durance-Class Replenishment Vessel". 2 July 2021.
  52. "Saint-Nazaire. La ministre Florence Parly aux Chantiers de l'Atlantique".
  53. "Saint-Nazaire. Chantiers de l'Atlantique : le navire militaire Jacques-Chevallier mis à flot". ouest france. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  54. Groizeleau, Vincent (22 December 2022). "En images : première sortie d'essais en mer pour le BRF Jacques Chevallier". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  55. "Chantiers de l'Atlantique delivers first new logistic support ship to French Navy". Janes. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  56. Vavasseur, Xavier (7 February 2022). "Fincantieri Cuts Steel For French Navy Second Logistic Support Ship". Naval News. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  57. "French Navy receives two EDA-S Amphibious Standard Landing Crafts".
  58. "First Two EDA-S Next Gen Amphibious Landing Craft Delivered to French DGA". 25 November 2021.
  59. Groizeleau, Vincent (1 March 2023). "Flottille amphibie : deux nouveaux EDA-S attendus à Toulon d'ici l'été". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  60. "French Navy EDA-S landing craft successfully conclude end-user evaluations".
  61. "Operational Commissioning of the Atlantique 2 to Standard 6".
  62. "French Navy Received First Two Upgraded ATL2s Maritime Patrol Aircraft". 30 October 2019.
  63. "French Navy Receives Sixth Upgraded ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft". 21 January 2022.
  64. "La Marine nationale réceptionne son 7ème Atlantique 2 modernisé | Mer et Marine". 5 May 2022.
  65. "French Navy Receives 8th and 9th Upgraded ATL2 MPA". 22 July 2022.
  66. "French Navy's Upgraded ATL2 MPA Reaches IOC". 23 December 2020.
  67. "French Navy Receives Fifth Upgraded ATL 2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft". 8 June 2021.
  68. "French MoD Orders 169 HIL Guépard from Airbus Helicopters". 23 December 2021.
  69. "Airbus H160M on Course for 2026 Service Entry".
  70. "First H160 SAR Helicopter Delivered to Babcock for the French Navy". 19 May 2022.
  71. "French Navy will receive two more Airbus Helicopters H160s".
  72. "Un nouvel hélicoptère pour la frégate de surveillance Prairial en Polynésie | Mer et Marine". 17 October 2022.
  73. "La mise en service des E-2D français prévue en 2030 | Mer et Marine". 19 January 2022.
  74. "France confirms order for 3 US-made E-2D Advanced Hawkeye carrier-capable early warning aircraft".
  75. "Falcon 2000 Albatros for the French Navy – SeaWaves Magazine".
  76. "Atos to equip future surveillance aircraft Falcon 2000 Albatros with develops video system".
  77. "France And Italy Procure 700 Aster Surface To Air Missiles | Naval News". 30 January 2023.

References
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