Italian shipyard lays forward keel for first French BRF vessel
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.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Naval Warfare
-
BMT and DNV partner to meet Australia’s heavy landing craft requirement
Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia has been seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. The programme has an estimated value of AU$1.4 billion (US$910 million), with IOC slated for 2032.
-
Babcock to take over upkeep of Royal Navy Type-23 frigates
The Royal Navy’s Type-23 Duke-class frigates for the UK Royal Navy were designed as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships but now have a multi-role function. Of the 16 Type 23s built, 12 remain in service with the Royal Navy and will be replaced by the Type-26 frigates before 2035.
-
Austal completes autonomy trials with former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat
The work took place under the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), which has been a collaboration between Austal, Greenroom Robotics, the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre and the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Warfare Innovation Navy Branch.
-
Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine
The era of southeast Asian submarine modernisation has been in full swing fuelled by growing tensions in the South China Sea.
-
Keel laid for third Hellenic Navy frigate as harbour trials start for first
On 24 March 2022, Greece and Naval Group have signed a contract for three defence and intervention (FDI) frigates. Two warships will be due for delivery in 2025 and the third expected the following year, with the deal including an option to add a fourth frigate to be ready in 2027.
-
US senators raise Russian concerns over unprepared Coast Guard fleet
US Congress senators have warned that the US Coast Guard’s fleet cannot protect Arctic waters against Russian naval capabilities.