The French Navy will be receiving four new replenishment tanker support ships under a contract inked by the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) on behalf of the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) on January 30. France has opted to build its logistic support ships in cooperation with Italy using the Vulcano design adopted for the Italian Navy’s ships.
The EUR1.7 billion ($1.95 billion) contract involves joint production in Saint-Nazaire, France, of the double-hulled, internationally compliant vessels built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique (formerly STX France) and Naval Group, with the hull sections hosting the refueling system built in Italy by Fincantieri.
Funding will be allocated under France’s 2019-2025 Military Planning Law (LPM).
Nouveau jalon #LPM pour le renouvellement des équipements. 2 nouvelles notif° pour le renouvellement des équipements de la @MarineNationale. Concerne :
➡️Engins de débarquement amphibie standard (EDA-S)
➡️Bâtiments ravitailleurs de force (BRF) dans le cadre du programme FLOTLOG pic.twitter.com/zwoHmq9WTo— Ministère des Armées (@Defense_gouv) January 31, 2019
France is procuring a fleet of new-generation logistics supply vessels to serve as replacements for its existing refueling ships, last three Durance-class command and supply ships, and a fleet auxiliary (the Jules Verne).
The new Vulcano design-based ships are expected to sustain any French naval mission by serving as at-sea refuelers for heavy ships and warships and transferring cargo and supplying weapons and ammunition in an amphibious support role.
Initial delivery of the first two vessels is expected in 2025.
