Italian shipyard lays forward keel for first French BRF vessel
Work on the first-in-class BRF ship Jacques Chevallier continues at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard.
A Fincantieri shipyard has laid the forward section of the keel for the first of four new logistic support ships for the French Navy.
Work on the sections of Jacques Chevallier continues at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard, with deliveries to Chantiers de l’Atlantique scheduled between 2021 and 2027, Fincantieri noted on 10 February.
Under its Flotte Logistique (FLOTLOG) programme, the French Navy is receiving four Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force (BRF) replenishment ships based on the Italian Vulcano-class design, to replace Durance-class command and supply ships.
FLOTLOG is a Franco-Italian effort. NATO agency OCCAR signed a a €1.7 billion ($1.9 billion) contract in February 2019 with Chantiers de L'Atlantique and Naval Group. OCCAR acted on behalf of French defence procurement agency DGA.
Naval Group is responsible for the design. supply and integration of the combat and military systems. Fincantieri is supplying part of the hulls and technical assistance for the French vessels.
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BRF - Logistic Support Ships (1-4) [France]
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