The General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) ordered seven high seas patrol vessels for the French Navy from a group of companies formed by CMN, Socarenam and Piriou, and commissioned Naval Group to create the navigation and combat systems.
The contract, valued at 900 million euros, provides for the delivery of the ships “between 2026 and 2030”, according to the Naval Group statement. This program aims to renew the French Navy’s maritime surveillance and intervention vessels, composed of high seas patrol vessels (former Notices A69) based in Brest and Toulon, and public service patrol vessels based in Cherbourg. The French Navy should have ten patrol vessels on the high seas “by 2035.”
Deterrence, sovereignty and protection
The missions of these high-altitude patrol vessels are at the same time “deterrence, autonomous assessment of the situation in areas of sovereignty or interest, escort, evacuation of nationals, sovereignty and protection of national interests in maritime access areas “explains the Naval Group in a press release.
These 2,400-ton ships have capacity for 84 people (crew and passengers) with a range of 6,000 nautical miles. They will be able to board the future EDO 4G (fourth generation operational drome ship) and ETRACO NG (fast commando transport ship), as well as the future Guépard Marine helicopter.
Source: BFM TV
