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THE FRENCH NAVY MAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION – JANUARY 2021

FRENCH NAVY 2021

I N F O R M AT I O N F I LE
 4 G EOP OLIT ICS
Mari t i m e issues

6 ST R AT EG IC F U N CT I O N S
On al l t he seas of t he wor l d

10 ANCHORING P O I N TS
The French Nav y ever y w here

CONTENTS
12 HUM AN RESO U RC ES
A Nav y of t al ented p eop l e

16 ST RU CT URE
A si m pl e and agi l e organi zat i on

18 ORDER OF BAT T LE
A co m bat Nav y

DEPLOYED ASS E TS
22 Far away, fo r a l ong t i m e, as a crew

24 PRO G R AM S
A Nav y w i t h a technol ogi cal ed ge

26 FINANCE
M i l i t ar y program m i ng l aw, year 3

THE FRENCH NAVY MAGAZINE

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 GEOPOLITICS
Maritime issues 10,8m
km2
of French maritime space

The sea, unlike the earth, is free of all natural obstacles

and is one of the last spaces for «free» and accessible
maneuvering, at least for those who give themselves the
means to control the use of it.

Although this great freedom has made the tremendous

expansion of maritime freight transport possible over
the last thirty years, it has been making the maritime
space very difficult to control and secure. The density of E
TH UT
traffic poses a risk on some maritime routes, such as the RO
E ST
HEA SHIPPING ROUTES
Pas-de- Calais, which sees 700 to 800 ships pass through RT

NO
NO Main shipping routes
its 16 nautical miles offshore every day, making it the E

RTHW
TH
second most frequented strait in the world. Piracy, which Routes open during ice melt
is a threat to maritime trade, is far from being curbed in OIL, GAS AND

EST
OIL, GAS MINERAL RESOURCES
the Gulf of Guinea and in the Strait of Malacca. Illegal AND MINERAL

RO
RESOURCES UT
trafficking continues, particularly in the Caribbean Sea E
PACIFIC OCEAN STRAITS AND CANALS
and as close as the Mediterranean. Finally, the COVID-19
1 Malacca 5 Dardanelles
pandemic highlights, once again, the unavoidable and
SAINT-PIERRE-
Cherbourg 4 MAINLAND FRANCE 2 Panama 6 Suez
vital character of maritime traffic for the survival of Brest 371 096 km
2
ET-MIQUELON 3 Gibraltar 7 Bab el-Mandeb
nations whose economies are interdependent: land 12 387 km 2 Lorient

borders were closed, airlines were disrupted, but every 4 Pas-de-Calais 8 Ormuz
Toulon 5
effort has been made to keep maritime connections
open for fear of leading to unacceptable shortages of DISPUTED 3
OIL, GAS OFFSHORE RESOURCES
necessities among the population. The various claims AREAS MINERAL
6
MINERAL RESOURCES IMMIGRATION RESOURCES Hydrocarbon resources
to sovereignty and the new prospects for offshore REUNION 8
ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE
operations are also generating growing tensions. A Abu Dhabi Marine mineral resources
ANTILLES Dakar
growing number of actors – among them non-state ones CHINA SEA
CLIPPERTON Fishery resources
151 076 km 2

– make use of uninhibited force, or even violence, in an 436 431 km 2

PIRACY AND Djibouti 7
increasingly contested maritime space. The discovery 2
FISHING
of oil and gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean COAL FRENCH GUIANA ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE
1 2 GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS
further aggravates tensions between neighbouring states 201 461 km INFRASTRUCTURE
that find it all the more difficult to establish the limits
PIRACY Submarine cables in use
of their maritime spaces. While the economies of many WALLIS AND FUTUNA
countries are based on maritime resources, looting or 262 465 km 2 MINERAL
INDIAN OCEAN RESOURCES
challenging established Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) REUNION
MAYOTTE-SCATTERED FRENCH PRESENCE
is also becoming increasingly common: in the Gulf of MINERAL
Guinea, for example, 40% of fishing is illegal. Aware of RESOURCES
ATLANTIC OCEAN COAL 1 021 447 km 2
Naval Support Facilities
these challenges, States are asserting their power at sea,
Maritime areas:
particularly within their EEZs, and are developing their NEW exclusive economic zones,
military fleets as well as, sometimes, maritime militias. CALEDONIA internal waters and
FRENCH POLYNESIA territorial seas
Today, France is part of the very small group of powers 1 440 161 km 2
that have at their disposal a complete and coherent 4 793 620 km 2
naval tool enabling them to work under the sea, on the
FRENCH SOUTHERN
surface, in the air and to project forces on land to defend AND ANTARCTIC LANDS
their vital and strategic interests. 2
2 070 356 km

Key
42 000 71% 70% 90% 99%
sailors mobilized at sea, of the planet is covered by of the world's population lives in of world trade transits of telecommunications
FIGURES on land or in the air maritime spaces, i.e. coastal areas, less than 100 km by sea pass through submarine
in the service of France 361 million square km away from the coast 90% of world cables
trade transits by sea

4 5
 To ensure the safety of the French people, the French Navy operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day,
P ROT ECT I ON
on all the seas of the world. From territorial waters to the high seas, it conducts defense and security The French Navy constantly acts on the shore, at sea,
missions to protect maritime approaches and national interests. As it is a central player in nuclear underwater and in the air, to monitor and protect France’s
maritime approaches, through the Permanent Maritime
deterrence, it intervenes as close as possible to threats and in crisis zones. Deterring, protecting,
Safeguard Posture (PPSM), which brings together all of its
knowing and anticipating, intervening, preventing – that is what the Navy is all about. From fisheries missions related to the maritime defense of the territory
policing missions to deep-sea strikes, it has the means and skills to act across the whole spectrum and (DMT) and Law Enforcement at Sea (AEM).
meet the challenges of today’s and tomorrow’s world.

L AW EN FORCEM EN T AT S E A
S T R AT E G I C F U N C T I O N S

Subordinated to the Maritime Prefect in metropolitan France and to

the Government Delegate Overseas, Law Enforcement at Sea (AEM)
covers the maritime missions of public interest carried out by the
Government. As the major actor in Law Enforcement at Sea, the
Navy provides the naval, air and land-based resources that enable
exercising of public service and law enforcement operations at sea
possible (fisheries police, fight against pollution at sea, fight against
illegal trafficking, search and rescue at sea, neutralization of historic
explosive devices).
On all the seas of the world

M A RIT IM E DE F E N SE O F T H E T E RRITO RY
As the military component of the permanent posture of maritime
DE TE R R E NC E protection, the maritime defense of the territory (DMT) aims to
monitor the approaches to the national territory on its maritime
The credibility of the deterrence function demands a very high level of requirements,
both in terms of design and implementation. It is based on the existence of two
complementary components: the oceanic component and the airborne component. The
first one, carried by the Strategic Oceanic Force (FOST), has four nuclear-powered ballistic
missile submarines (SSBNs), at least one of which is permanently at sea, hidden by the
48
years in a row of
uninterrupted presence
frontier, to inform the authorities about suspicious or hostile
activities at sea and threats of maritime origin, and to oppose actions
carried out against the territory from the sea. A sentinel of the Seas,
the Navy participates permanently in the protection of the national
territory and its approaches with this permanent surveillance and
immensity of the oceans. The other component, the naval air nuclear force (FANu), is the at sea for French SSBN intervention system across nearly 20,000 km of coastline.
Navy’s contribution to the Airborne Component. It is facilitated from the aircraft carrier
Charles de Gaulle, which embarks Rafale Marine fighters.
P O L LU T I ON R ES P ON S E
As a player in environmental safety, the French Navy is on the front
line in protecting the seas and coastlines thanks to its permanent
alert system and its ability to respond to extreme situations involving
vessels in distress. Its Center for Practical Expertise in Pollution Control
The operational actors of oceanic deterrence (CEPPOL), based in Brest, defines equipment in this field, monitors
COFOST technology, trains and prepares its teams to deploy experts in the
COM BREST
Operational event of a disaster and advises on response strategies.
Control Center for DEDICATED
Operational Control TRANSMISSION CENTERS
SSBN on Patrol
Center for Naval Aircraft
Safety, resilience
in the Atlantic and SSBN
in the Approaches

MARITIME
POLICE
ILE LONGUE
Close
OPERATIONAL BASE
potection
Operational support
NAVAL
INFANTRY
SURVEY SHIPS Close
Hydrographic protection
knowledge P O P UL AT IO N RE L IE F
HELICOPTERS The Navy’s resources are capable of assisting populations facing
SATELLITES Surveillance of
Intelligence SNLE emergency or crises. In 2020, its amphibious helicopter carriers were
maritime
gathering approaches notably involved in Operations Résilience and Amitié. The former to
contribute to the support of the French to cope with the COVID-19
Command and NAVAL CAIMAN epidemic in metropolitan France and overseas, by transporting sick
Communications HELICOPTERS
MULTIMISSION
MINEHUNTERS
Seabed security
people, food and medical equipment; the latter to provide material ASSISTA N CE A N D R ESCU E
FRIGATES
assistance to the Lebanese population affected by the explosion of
Protection
Security a warehouse in Beirut. The Navy saves more than 300 lives a year by participating in rescue
Security
operations for ships and people in distress at sea, coordinated by
NUCLEAR-POWERED ATTACK the Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Centers (CROSS).
SUBMARINES
Knowledge and anticipation, The operational actors of Within the framework of the National Reinforcement Capacity

3,000
intelligence gathering OCEAN-GOING PATROL VESSELS oceanic deterrence Security for Interventions on Board Ships (CAPINAV), Marseille’s Naval Fire
Escort vessels
Operational support ATLANTIQUE 2 MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT Battalion (BMPM) can deploy, among other things, specialized disaster
Security
mines, shells and ammunition are relief resources at sea.
neutralized on average each year
6 7
 PREVEN TION - KN OW L E D GE AND ANTI C I PAT I ON
Thanks to the various assets it deploys around the
world, the Navy has a large number of sensors that
enable it to keep its knowledge of potential crisis
zones up to date and to detect the emergence of
new tensions as early as possible. Each unit it deploys
participates in it, whether in the electromagnetic,
acoustic, imagery, or even human fields. In the areas
weakened by piracy and illegal fishing. The navy I N TERVEN TI ON
places emphasis on prevention and contributes
The sea offers privileged access to crisis zones
to maritime security through the organization of
and allows us to free ourselves from territorial
training and education courses for local navies.
and diplomatic constraints. Currently, the
Navy is called upon to deploy far and wide
to defend the interests of France and its
citizens around the world. With its means of
Nearly power and force projection, it intervenes as

E AST E RN M E D I TER R ANE AN
The Navy’s presence in the Eastern Mediterranean is part of the response
to Islamist terrorism in the Middle East and gives French authorities an
autonomous capacity to assess and anticipate the situation. To this
effect, frigates are deployed there regularly in order to be able to react
immediately in the event of a crisis. Since the launch of Operation
Chammal in 2014, a frigate has been permanently patrolling off the
coast of Syria.
17 tons
of pure narcotics
seized in 2019 by the
close as possible to the threats, takes a long-
term approach and is ready to intervene
immediately in the event of a deterioration
of the situation at sea or on land. Although it
Navy.
G UL F O F G UIN E A
has the capacity to act on its own, it mostly
With the Corymbe mission, the Navy deploys one to two ships almost acts within the framework of coalitions or
continuously off the coast of West Africa in the Gulf of Guinea. This
multilateral cooperation.
presence makes it possible to improve maritime security in the area,
to support the operations of French armed forces in the region,
and to deploy military assets from the sea, if necessary and at short
notice, in the event of a crisis. While strengthening the Navy’s ties with
neighboring states, France is working with its European partners to act
in a coordinated manner in the zone.
140
operational flights were
conducted from the
Charles de Gaulle aircraft
carrier in the Eastern
Mediterranean in 2019.
INDIAN O CE AN
The Navy permanently deploys a frigate in the Indian Ocean, a major
crossroads for the transit of raw materials and manufactured goods
on their way to Europe and a region of great tension. Although they
are more specifically integrated into the Agénor maritime security
operation in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the French
Navy’s air and sea assets are also involved in the fight against terrorism,
alongside allied and partner navies.

P OWE R PRO J EC T IO N FO C US ON T H E N AVA L CRU I S E M I SS I LE

The carrier task group, which is centered on the Charles de Gaulle
aircraft carrier, is a tool for sovereign long-term projection: its
deployment is not subject to authorization from third countries. The
Arromanches and Foch missions in the eastern Mediterranean and in
the Arabian Gulf bear witness to the expertise of the French Navy,
which has the capacity to act without notice in interoperability with its
European and American allies.
As a power projection tool, the naval cruise missile (MdCN), embarked
and operated by the multi mission frigates and the new Suffren-class
nuclear attack submarines, provides the chief of the armed forces with
complementary strategic options for the carrier air wing. This missile
allows the Navy to conduct long-range strikes on land targets.

G R E AT N ORTH
Global warming and power interests highlight the growing strategic
importance of the Far North. The Navy regularly deploys assets there to
improve its knowledge of the area,demonstrate France’s interest in this
region and its commitment to freedom of navigation, in compliance
with international law.
FO RC E P ROJ ECT I ON
In addition to their capability to accommodate an on-board staff,
HYDRO GR APHIC MISS IO N amphibious helicopter carriers are also able to project amphibious,
ground or air forces. Marine commandos, or «special sea forces», carry
Military hydrographic capability contributes to a better knowledge of out targeted combat actions: special air and sea operations, such as
an area in support of operations, whether they are deterrence missions assaults at sea, reconnaissance, counter-piracy and anti-trafficking
or interventions. The Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service missions, as well as special operations on land, such as the release of
(SHOM) delivers this core component. hostages or the evacuation of nationals.

8 9
 DUNKERQUE

ANCHORING POINTS
A VA L E
NN
IO
T

AC
D’
F OR C E
CHERBOURG
The French Navy everywhere COMNORD
FOSIT
T
IO
NN
A VA L E LE HAVRE

AC
D’
F OR CE
BREST LANDIVISIAU
CECLANT
ALFOST
ALFAN BREST
KERLOUAN
CEPPOL
CTM SAINTE-ASSISE
CRGE MARINE
ESNLE CTM
FOSIT
SLM
HOUILLES
SSF
COMGENDMAR
ILE LONGUE
LANVÉOC PARIS
TOURS
DPMM GESTION EMM dont EMO-M
CESM
LANN-BIHOUÉ
NANTES COMAR
CéLAé
CPPE
ROSNAY DCSSF
CTM DPMM
LORIENT IMN
ALFUSCO SIRPA MARINE
COMMANDOS SRM
Jaubert SPM
Kieffer
De Montfort
De Penfentenyo
Ponchardier
Trepel
SAINT-PIERRE- BORDEAUX
ET-MIQUELON

ABU DHABI

ANTILLES DAKAR DJIBOUTI

ABIDJAN HYÈRES
FRENCH
CEPA/ 10S
GUIANA
PORT-DE-BOUC

FRENCH POLYNESIA MAYOTTE MARSEILLE

FRANCE SUD
A VA L E
NN
IO
T

BMPM

AC
D’
F OR C E
REUNION
CTM TOULON
NEW
SAINT-MANDRIER CECMED AJACCIO
CALEDONIA
COMMANDO Hubert ALFAN
ALAVIA
CEPN
CIRA
The French Navy is present all along the coasts DSLM
of metropolitan France, notably thanks to the ESNA
FOSIT
network provided by its 58 semaphores.
SLM
SSF

LOCATION COMMANDS FORCES GENDARMERIE MARITIME BMPM : Marseille’s Naval Fire Battalion DCSSF : Central Directorate of the Fleet Support Department
CECLANT : Commander-in-Chief Atlantic maritime area DPMM : Directorate of the Navy’s Military Personnel
TITRE Maritime region commander-
A VA L E
NN
IO
T

Naval Action Force

AC

Naval base
D’
F OR CE

maritime prefect - maritime zone Maritime Gendarmerie Battalion CECMED : Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean maritime area DSLM : Directorate of the Navy’s Logistics Department
commander CéLAé : Naval Aviation Logistics Centre EMM : French Navy Headquarters
Support base Naval Air Base Maritime and harbor security platoon
Commander of the Navy in a CEPA / 10S : Naval Aviation Practical Experimentation Centre EMO-M : Navy Operations Headquarters
given location CEPN : Expertise Centre for Naval Programs ESNA : Squadron of Nuclear Attack Submarines
Strategic Oceanic Force
Nuclear port CEPPOL : Centre of Practical Expertise in Pollution Response ESNLE : Squadron of Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines
CESM : French Navy Centre for Strategic Studies FOSIT : Operational Unit of Surveillance and Territorial Information
Navy Commandos CIRA : Center for Interpretation and Acoustic Recognition IMN : Inspector of the French Navy
Central level of the Navy
COMNORD : Commander-in-Chief Channel and North Sea maritime area SIRPA : Department of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces
CPPE : Standing Committee on Programs and Trials SLM : Logistics Department of the French Navy
Naval riflemen groups and companies
Semaphore CRGE : Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Centre of the French Navy SPM : Naval Psychology Department
CTM : Navy Transmission Centre SRM : Naval Recruitment Department
SSF : Fleet Support Department

10 11
 HUMAN RESOURCES Who are the sailors?
A Navy of talented people UPON JOINING THE NAVY ONCE IN THE NAVY

8%
three-year 70%
university
8% degree 7%
and without any of sailors live as a
two-year more degree
university
couple. Among them:
degree
In a context of continued operational commitment and a The acquisition and the development of the sailor’s skills
26%
major renewal of its capabilities, the Navy is actively upgrading throughout his or her career are at the heart of the training vocational
its human resources policy. The sailor is at the very heart of the system. Specific and modular training courses are available degree Quest for
naval combat system. The objective is to build, with each sailor to meet the needs of the units. The ambitious partnership discipline 13% are
and commander, a career path in line with their aspirations and policy with the French Ministry of Education and the players in and rigor
Team spirit
6% are dual service
the needs of the Navy and the Armed Forces. It is a question the maritime world enables the Navy to integrate the civilian “geographically single” couples
of recruiting, orienting, training, specializing, enriching through academic background and experience of each individual into Sense of
experience, and developing skills. The personal and professional attractive, progressive careers. purpose
fulfillment of each individual is a central concern for the Navy.
Finally, to keep our talent, we must meet the challenge of
Average age
Recruitment, training and attractiveness remain the major and attractiveness, primarily through employment. This is achieved MOTIVATIONS FOR JOINING THE NAVY 33
structural HR challenges. Recruiting is a priority for the future of through the attention paid to the work environment, to the 51%
the Navy. We need young volunteers with strong motivations. recognition of the professional activity and to the personal high school
To attract this new talent, we are adapting our recruitment constraints of each individual. To be more attractive, it is degree
Average length Average age
methods. Through our presence on professional and digital necessary for the Navy to better hear and take into account of service on board ships
platforms, we are also developing strong partnerships in which the professional aspirations of sailors and of their families as 13 years 28
the sailors themselves, as true ambassadors of their professions, well as their personal development throughout their career. NEWLY ENLISTED PERSONNEL...
take part. Particular attention is paid to the micro-fields of the
cyber, nuclear, aeronautics and catering industries, as well as to have applied in the Navy only 82%
gender diversity within the operational units, a goal set out in
the Mercator plan.
have a relative or someone close to them
60%

© H.COURTIN/MN
who is or was a member of the armed forces
WOMEN MAKE UP...

15% of sailors
were students before
joining the Navy 45% 11% of sea-going personnel
French Navy personnel 13% of officers

38 829 military sailors :

U PDAT ED 30/11 /2020

65% 35%
contract career
personnel personnel

5,025 25,345
commissioned officers petty officers RECRUIT M E N T:
F RO M CIVIL IAN TO SA I LOR
8,312 147
To nurture its expertise and operational capacity, the French on our network of 47 mainland France recruiting offices and 6
seamen volunteers
Navy recruits and trains 4,000 young men and women aged overseas offices located within the Armed Forces Information
between 16 and 30 every year, who join the Navy upon having and Recruitment Centers (CIRFA). Nearly 300 sailors, all from
completed their lower secondary education right through to the armed forces, work in the CIRFAs.
2,700 Navy civilian personnel 6,500 reserve personnel : masters. In line with a principle of flow, the Navy renews 10% of
The Navy also depends on all its sailors to recruit. To do so,
its workforce each year, in order to retain young, combat ready
we rely on the involvement of the units, which coordinate
crews that are fully committed to their missions.

4,000
young people
recruited in 2020
6,000 operational
reserve personnel

500 citizen reservists

The Navy is therefore a key player in the employment and
skills training of young people, offering a range of more than
50 professions, divided into 12 major areas of specialization.
their actions with the Naval Recruitment Department (SRM)
through their recruitment leads. The etremarin.fr website
allows Internet users to discover all the job offers, apply online,
contact the nearest CIRFA and talk to ambassador sailors.
To recruit, we rely on the Navy’s recruiting department and

12 13
 HUMAN RESOURCES
A Navy of talented people
23
days of
training on
Brest
EGDM
Navy schools and training centers CEFAÉ : Naval Aviation Training Center

average per ENSM CIRA : Acoustic Interpretation and Recognition Center

Centre d’instruction naval (CIN)
year per École des mousses
sailor EDM CISMF : Joint Centre for the Meteo-Oceanographic
Support of the Armed Forces
Lycée Naval
EAMEA : School for the Military Applications of Atomic Energy

Cherbourg EAN : School of Naval Aviation

JEAN BART TOURVILLE COLBERT DUQUESNE SUFFREN

EAMEA
EMMAC Ecoplong : Diving School
École des fourriers
Ecomarin : Sailors and Ratings of the Fleet School

Lanvéoc EDM : Petty Officers’ School

EIP 50S EGDM : Naval Mine Warfare School

ESHE 22S
EIP 50S : Initial Pilot School/50S Squadron

EMMAC : Cherbourg Navy Apprentices and Sailors School

Cognac
Saint-Mandrier EMPM : Marseille Naval Firefighters School
EAN
Pôle écoles Méditerranée (PEM)
ESTLN ENSM : Submarine Navigation School
ESCO
Ecoplong ENSM/BPN : Submarine Navigation School/
Hyères
Nuclear-Powered Vessels
Ecomarin EPPE
Antenne EDM
EPPE : Flight Deck Personnel School

TRAINING: ESCO : Combat Systems and Air/Naval Operations School

Marseille
TOWA R DS A G ROW ING E X PERTIS E EMPM ESHE 22S : Shipborne Helicopter Specialization School/
22 S Squadron
Toulon
ENSM/BPN ESTLN : School for Naval Systems, Technologies and Logistics
The Navy operates in the maritime, deep ocean, air, land and cyber domains, using increasingly complex equipment. It CIRA
must therefore have a wide range of skills and an agile professional training system that can respond to rapid technological
changes. Generating cutting-edge skills requires continuous professional development, backed by robust initial training
and technical training in academic and practical skills delivered by 15 schools and training centers. The Navy offers online The French Navy must be able to retain our trained parents, recently reinforced by the MINARM’s Plan

AT TR ACTI V ENE SS :
training, adapts its teaching methods, develops partnerships with the French National Education system and higher and experienced sailors who possess rare and famille, allow us to better account for home life.
education, and offers accelerated courses adapted to civilian academic qualifications. It is also promoting the professional sought-after skills.

LO O K ING FOR
certification process, a real source of attractiveness. Currently, some sixty of its qualifications are registered in the national The attractiveness of the Navy throughout a career
directory of professional certifications (RNCP). Attractiveness is therefore a permanent concern is finally ensuring that the sailor feels valued in his or

A BA L ANCE
that requires concrete measures aimed in particular
The 4,000 young Frenchmen and Frenchwomen recruited each year will become, for the non- officers, elementary operators at better combining professional life with private
in 10 basic professions, then experienced operators and team leaders in 30 specialties, and finally supervisors in 50 fields life. The experimentation of double- crewed vessels
of expertise, hyper-specialized thanks to more than 800 training courses targeted on equipment or a specific function. on some Naval Action Force ships, based on a
The objective for officers is to develop their skills in commanding Navy units, as well as the exercise of direction and model already proven in the submarine forces,
development responsibilities within the Ministry of the Armed Forces. thus gives these embarked sailors a better outlook
of the alternating periods at sea and on land.
The accompanying measures for spouses and for
her professional activity. Thus, the Navy offers each
individual an attractive career path to develop his
or her skills and progress within the institution. The
Navy is also charged with implementing structural
initiatives such as pension reform and the new
military pay policy whilst also defending the specific
characteristics of the HR challenges that are specific
to sailors.

41%
of all commissioned
officers are former
petty officers

14 15
STRU CT URE
A clear and agile organization

French Navy units are subject to two distinct chains of command: the administrative chain of
command, tasked with the preparation and generation of forces, and the operational chain
of command, tasked with the conduct of military action.

A D MINISTR ATIV E CO MMAND

The Chief of Naval Staff (CEMM) is responsible for
providing to the Chief of Defense Staff (CEMA) a
combat ready Navy, which entails preparing these
forces from the material point of view, training them
and qualifying them for operations. To that end, the
Navy is organized with an environmental logic and
four administrative authorities are tasked with the
operational preparation of the forces: the admiral
commander of the Naval Action Force (ALFAN), as
regards the surface fleet; the admiral commander
of the Strategic Oceanic Force (ALFOST), for
submarines; the admiral commander of the Naval Air
Arm (ALAVIA), for aircraft; the admiral commander
of the Naval Riflemen and Commandos (ALFUSCO),
to finish. The Navy also relies on a fifth force: the
“Gendarmerie maritime”, which comes under a
COMGENDMAR which is a National Gendarmerie
formation coming under the command of the Chief
of Naval Staff.
Preparation and use of the forces

OPER ATIONA L COMMAN D PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

Military operations are placed under the operational
command of the Chief of Defense Staff (CEMA).
The military authorities in charge of the different
geographical areas are responsible for the operational
control of the units deployed in their areas. They are
the commanders of maritime zones (CZM), the high
commanders of overseas armed forces (COMSUP) or
the commanders of French forces stationed abroad
PRIME MINISTER GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR THE SEA (SGMer)
(COMFOR). The missions that come within the scope
MINISTER FOR THE ARMED FORCES (MINARM)
of Law Enforcement at Sea (AEM) are under the
responsibility of the Prime Minister, who relies on CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF (CEMA) OPERATIONS PLANNING AND CONDUCT CENTRE (CPCO)
maritime prefects (PREMAR) in mainland France and CHIEF OF NAVAL
government delegates for Law enforcement at sea STAFF (CEMM)
overseas.
DIRECTORATE OF THE NAVY’S
NAVAL STAFF (EMM)
MILITARY PERSONNEL (DPMM)

OPERATIONS STAFF
OF THE FRENCH NAVY (EMO)

PREPARATION OF THE FORCES USE OF THE FORCES

COMGENDMAR MILITARY LAW ENFORCEMENT

OPERATIONS AT SEA
10 100 4 450
sailors sailors sailors sailors gendarmes
Maritime zone Maritime
Naval Submarine Forces Naval Naval Force Maritime commander prefect
Action & Strategic Air Arm of Riflemen & Gendarmeries
Force Oceanic Force Commandos
MARITIME ZONES

Use of forces Pool of forces tailored

Operational preparation to the mission
Operational functions
Law Enforcement at Sea

16 17
 O R D E R O F B AT T L E
NAVAL ACTION FORCE
AIRCRAFT CARRIER (PA)
1 MULTIMISSION
Displacement: 41 333 t
CREW: 1 900,
including air wing
and embarked staff
Power projection,
Crisis management,
Air-sea supremacy,
Nuclear deterrence
R 91 Charles de Gaulle
AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT
SHIP (PHA)
3 CLASS FRIGATE (FLF)
Displacement: 21 500 t
CREW: 177
Embarked staff: up to 200
Troops: up to 900 soldiers
Air-mobile and amphibious
force projection & command,
Operational transport,
Medical and humanitarian
support,
Naval officers
demonstration school
L 9013 Mistral
L9014 Tonnerre
L 9015 Dixmude
AIR DEFENCE
DESTROYER (FDA)
2 M 611 Vulcain
Displacement: 7 000 t
CREW: 195
Control of the air & maritime space,
Surface-to-air defence,Anti-missile
capacity, Airspace control &
command of air defence from the sea
D 620 Forbin
D 621 Chevalier Paul
A combat Navy
OVERSEAS SUPPORT & PUBLIC SERVICE PATROL
OFFSHORE PATROL HYDROGRAPHIC AND COASTAL HARBOR TUGBOAT
ASSISTANCE VESSEL (BSAOM) BOAT (PSP)
VESSEL (PHM) OCEANOGRAPHIC SURVEY (RPC)
6 4 3 VESSEL (BH & BHO)
3
Displacement: 2 300 t Displacement: 406 t 4 Displacement: 228 t
Displacement: 1 342 t
Civilian and military coastal and
CREW: 24 CREW: 21
CREW: 85 offshore hydrography missions, CREW: 6
Coastal and seabed surveying for
Maritime surveillance and Maritime defense of the territory,
Maritime defense of the territory, nautical charting, Tug assistance,
protection, Fishery police,
AIR DEFENCE Surveillance of maritime spaces,
Projection of police or gendarmerie Pollution control,
Knowledge of the operational Towing of barges,
DESTROYER (FAA) Anti-submarine capability, maritime environment Fire support,
FRIGATE (FREMM) Police action on the high seas forces, Rescue at sea
Assistance to populations Pollution response
6 1 F 792 PM L’Her P 676 Flamant
A758 Beautemps-Beauprè
A 791 Lapérouse A 636 Maïto
A 621 D’Entrecasteaux, P 677 Cormoran
F 793 CDT Blaison A 637 Maroa
A 622 Bougainville, A 792 Borda
Displacement: 6 278 t Displacement: 5 000 t F 794 EV Jacoubet P 678 Pluvier
A 623 Champlain A 793 Laplace A 638 Manini
F 795 CDT Ducuing
A 624 Dumont D’Urville
CREW: 230 F 796 CDT Birot
CREW: 108 F 797 CDT Bouant
Air defense,
Anti-submarine and EQUIPMENT TRANSPORT
Fight against air-threats,
anti-aircraft warfare, Deep strikes,
Airspace control SONAR TOWING VESSEL MISSILE RANGE BARGES (CTM)
Protection of naval forces TRIPARTITE-CLASS
(BRS) INSTRUMENTATION SHIP (BEM)
MINEHUNTER (CMT)
D 615 Jean Bart METROPOLITAN OFFSHORE 11
D 650 Aquitaine SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE 10 3 1
D 651 Normandie 8 assigned to the Amphibious Fleet,
VESSEL (BSAM)
D 652 Provence Displacement: 684 t Displacement: 326 t Displacement: 21 040 t 3 as support in Djibouti, Mayotte and
Lorient.
D 653 Languedoc 4 CREW: 45 Gradually replaced by the EDA-S from
D 654 Auvergne CREW: 174
Displacement: 2 950 t CREW: 21 2021 onwards.
D 655 Bretagne
Clearance and monitoring of strategic
Safeguarding access to strategic Data collection,
LA FAYETTE CREW: 17 TRAINING VESSEL
military and civilian ports, Detection channels Monitoring of missile launches
and neutralization of mine threats,
Support of forces,
Protection of life & property at sea Support to deterrence M 770 Antarès A 601 Monge 8
5 M 771 Altaïr
M 772 Aldebaran NAVIGATION
Displacement: 3 700 t A 602 Loire M 642 Cassiopée
A 603 Rhône M 643 Andromède
TRAINING VESSEL
A 604 Seine M 644 Pégase 2
CREW: 150
A 605 Garonne M 645 Orion MINE WARFARE
M 646 Croix du Sud
Intervention on the high seas and in EXPERIMENTATION VESSEL SAILING SHIP
MULTIMISSION M 647 L’Aigle
crisis zones,
FRIGATE with enhanced air
Patrols and escorts, M 648 Lyre
COMMAND AND 1 4
defence capability (FREMM - DA) Anti-ship warfare, M 650 Sagittaire
REPLENISHMENT SHIP (BCR) Displacement: 950 t
Instruction and training
Maritime space surveillance M 652 Céphée
2 ANTILLES-GUYANE M 653 Capricorne
PATROL VESSEL (PAG) CREW: 38
Displacement : 6 278 t F 710 La Fayette 3
F 711 Surcouf
A 785 Thétis
CREW: 118 F 712 Courbet 3 Displacement: 17 480 t
F 713 Aconit
Displacement: 776 t BASE SHIP FOR CLEARANCE CREW: 157
Anti-submarine warfare, F 714 Guépratte
DIVERS (BBPD)
Protection of naval forces, CREW: 23
Force Replenishment, Operations
Anti-aircraft warfare
Overseas maritime space surveillance,
4 Command,
Mine Warfare Support POLAR PATROL VESSEL (PP)
D 656 Alsace Control of the Exclusive Economic Displacement: 490 t GENDARMERIE COASTAL
D 657 Lorraine Zone, Fisheries police, 1 PATROL BOAT
Protection of the A 608 Var
CREW: 16 A 630 Marne
SURVEILLANCE
Guiana Space Center
A 631 Somme
Displacement: 4 200 t 6
FRIGATE (FS) P 733 La Confiance Identification, classification and Law Enforcement at Sea,
CREW: 21
P734 La Résolue destruction of mines, Maritime Safeguard,
6 P 735 La Combattante Mine clearance and channel
Control of the Exclusive Economic
Fisheries Surveillance
monitoring
Displacement : 2 950 t Zone, Surveillance of the maritime
space in the French Southern and MARITIME SURVEILLANCE
EXPERIMENTATION Antarctic Lands (TAAF), Support
ANTI-SUBMARINE CREW: 100 M 613 Achéron VESSEL COASTAL PATROL BOAT
M 614 Styx for Antarctic logistics, Assistance to
FRIGATE (FASM)
Maritime defense of the territory,
PATROL VESSEL M 622 Pluton the populations, Fight against illegal 24
1 fishing
1 Surveillance of overseas
4 Control at sea, Rescue and assistance,
maritime space, A759 Dupuy de Lôme Fisheries surveillance
Displacement: 4 910 t Fight against illicit trafficking Maritime defense of the territory, P 800 L’Astrolabe
Fisheries police,
M ARITIME
CREW: 244 F730 Floréal Pollution control, FAST AMPHIBIOUS
F 731 Prairial Rescue at sea LANDING CRAFT (EDA-R) MARITIME & PORT SECURITY
Anti-submarine warfare, F732 Nivôse PATROL BOAT
Protection of naval forces
D 646 Latouche-Tréville
F 733 Ventôse
F 734 Vendémiaire
P675 Arago
P 686 La Glorieuse
4 GENDARMERIE 9
F 735 Germinal P 701 Le Malin
Amphibious Flotilla Maritime and port security
P 740 Fulmar
18 19
 O R D E R O F B AT T L E MARITIME PATROL AND COMBAT AND RESCUE HÉLICOPTÈRES DE SOUTIEN
A combat Navy SURVEILLANCE HELICOPTERS ET DE SERVICE PUBLIC

NAVAL
AVIATION
SUBMARINE FORCES ATLANTIQUE 2 (ATL 2) NAVAL CAIMAN DAUPHIN SP

6
STR ATEGIC O CE ANIC 22
2 PILOTS
26
1 PILOT 2 PILOTES

FORCE
1 MECHANIC
NUCLEAR-POWERED BALLISTIC 2 MECHANICS 1 TACTICAL PERSONNEL
1 RESCUE DIVER
MISSILE SUBMARINE (SNLE) 9 WEAPON SYSTEMS OPERATORS 1 OPERATOR
Rescue at sea
Maritime patrol, security and Aeronautical combat,
4 operational training of SSBNs, security anti-submarine and anti-ship combat,
of naval air forces, control of air-sea DAUPHIN N3+
Displacement: 14 300 t special operations,
CARRIER combat, maritime safety and security
of maritime approaches, support for maritime counterterrorism,
2 CREWS OF 110 SAILORS AIR WING land and air-land operations rescue at sea 2
Permanence of nuclear
deterrence at sea NAVAL RIFLEMEN 21F and 23F Squadrons 31F and 33F Squadrons 2 PILOTS
1 MECHANIC
1 RESCUE DIVER
S 616 Le Triomphant
S 617 Le Téméraire AND COMMAND OS RAFALE MARINE
Rescue at sea
S 618 Le Vigilant
35F Squadron
S 619 Le Terrible NAVY COMMANDOS
42
PANTHER DAUPHIN N3
7 1 PILOT
(Interim Fleet)
Units Sea and land combat, 16
interception, assault, air support,
2 PILOTS
7
700 NAVY COMMANDOS tactical reconnaissance, nuclear FALCON 50 M
deterrence 1 OPERATOR 2 PILOTS
NUCLEAR ATTACK SUB- Special operations at sea, 8 1 MECHANIC
MARINE (SNA) 11F, 12F and 17F Squadrons Fight against ships, maritime 1 RESCUE DIVER
Special operations conducted from sea to land,
2 PILOTS counterterrorism, fight against illicit
Special operations on land
trafficking, rescue at sea Rescue at sea
5 3 OPERATORS

Displacement: 2 670 t Protection of maritime spaces, fight 36F Squadron 35F Squadron
against illicit trafficking, search and 34F/ESHE Squadron
2 CREWS OF 68 SAILORS rescue at sea

HAWKEYE (E2C) 24F Squadron

SSBN Security and Support, Naval Air
Force Protection, Intelligence,
NAVAL RIFLEMEN ASSAULT UNDERWATER ACTION
Intervention
COMMANDOS 3
COMMANDO FALCON 200 (GARDIAN) DAUPHIN PLANE GUARD
S 601 Rubis 2 PILOTS ALOUETTE III
S 603 Casabianca
3 4 1 3 WEAPON SYSTEMS OFFICERS 5 3
S 604 Emeraude 10
Battalions Jaubert Hubert Early warning air detection,
S 605 Améthyste Surveillance of maritime approaches, 2 PILOTS
De Montfort command and control, 1 MECHANIC 2 PILOTS
S 606 Perle search and rescue at sea
Trépel Underwater capability, management of sea-air space 1 RESCUE DIVER 1 OPERATOR
6 De Penfentenyo Counterterrorism and 25F Squadron
release of hostages 4F Squadron Backup during aviation maneuvers on Support of forces at sea, training
Companies board the aircraft carrier
Surveillance and
neutralization of targets, 34F/ESHE Squadron
Counterterrorism and 35F Squadron
1 700 NAVAL RIFLEMEN
release of hostages
Military and maritime defense of the
territory,
SUFFREN-CLASS NUCLEAR Support to naval air operations, MARITIME SUPPORT AIRCRAFT
ATTACK SUBMARINE (SNA) Participation in force projection
operations
SPECIALIZED SUPPORT COMMANDO
Battalions of naval riflemen
1 Amyot d’Inville (Brest)
De Morsier (Crozon) 2 FALCON 10 M XINGU CAP 10M CIRRUS SR20
Displacement: 6 278 t (Interim Fleet)
Détroyat (Toulon)
Kieffer 6 10 6
2 CREW OF 65 SAILORS Companies of naval riflemen
Command Capability, 3 NAVAL PERSONNEL 2 PILOTS 2 PILOTS 5
Le Goffic (Cherbourg)
SSBN Security and Support, Naval Air Bernier (Lanvéoc) Specialized Support (Police Dogs, UAVs, CBRN, Intelligence, Electronic Support, 7 PASSENGERS 6 PASSENGERS
Force Protection, Intelligence, Brière (Lann-Bihoué) Explosives and Digital Support) Initial selection 2 PILOTS
Intervention, Ground target attack Morel (Sainte Assise) Fighter pilot instruction and training, Light transport, training, logistical
Le Sant (Rosnay) Ponchardier liaison flights, air wing support support, liaison flights 50S Squadron Training
S 635 Suffren Colmay (France-Su)
Mobility support (maritime, land and air), 57S Squadron 28F Squadron 50S Squadron
Specialized operational support (weapons, ammunition, communications, etc.)

20 21
 DEPLOYMENT OF FRENCH NAVY ASSETS
Far away, for a long time, as a crew

ATLANTIC COAST (BREST, LORIENT, LANVÉOC-POULMIC, LANDIVISIAU, ILE LONGUE) CHANNEL-NORTH SEA COAST MEDITERRANEAN COAST (TOULON, MARSEILLE, SAINT-MANDRIER, HYÈRES, FRANCE SUD)
(CHERBOURG)
1 naval

4 42 12 3 13 2 riflemen battalion +
Nuclear Ballistic Missile
3 Hydrographic vessels Rafale Marine 6 Nuclear attack Multimission frigates Caïman Marine - NH90
+ 1 naval riflemen company
Submarines (SNLE) Naval Caiman - NH90
3 Public service patrol boats
(PSP)
submarines (SNA) (FREMM)
units

4 Multimission frigates (FREMM) 1 Base ship for clearance divers 10 1 Dauphin SPI 1 2 14 Panther
Xingu Metropolitan offshore support
+
1 Base ship for clearance
Aircraft carrier (PA) & assistance vessels (BSAM) 1
units
22
of Navy commandos
1
divers (BBPD)
7 3
3 5
Anti-submarine destroyers (FASM) Falcon M Atlantique 2 - ATL2 Dauphin plane
Sonar towing vessels
3 La Fayette-class frigates (FLF) guard
1
1
Amphibious helicopter

11 1 carriers (PHA) Group of clearance

1
Caïman Marine - NH90 Dauphin SPI
4
divers
Command and
replenishment ship (BCR) 2 Experimentation vessels
Dauphin N3
trainer aircraft
2 Command and 4 Dauphin SPI

of Naval 1 1 2 Air defense destroyers

replenishment ships (BCR)
1 Marseille’s
Naval Fire Battalion

7 4 riflemen battalions Company of Group of clearance

(FDA)
3
battallion

3 1
divers
Offshore patrol vessel + naval riflemen
(PHM)
Missile range
instrumentation ship
Alouette III units + naval riflemen companies
3 Offshore patrol ships (PHM)
Dauphin N3

1 1 Gendarmerie

7 3 2 Gendarmerie 4 Coastal patrol boats for

Air defence destroyer
7 coastal patrol boat
Minehunters 1 Metropolitan offshore support Hawkeye - E2C 6 + coastal patrol boats maritime surveillance 3 Minehunters (CMT)
Coastal patrol boats
for maritime surveillance
& assistance vessel
units of Navy commandos Grouping of Maritime
Maritime Gendarmerie
2 1 Gendarmerie
1
Base ship for clearance divers

1 Hydrographic and Navigation training

6 Falcon 10 M
grouping
(BBPD)
oceanographic survey vessel 2 vessels
1 Group of clearance
divers REST OF METROPOLITAN
CHANNEL - NORTH SEA
MARITIME ZONE FRANCE
4 Sailing ships 8 Training vessels
NEW CALEDONIA (NOUMÉA)
SAINT-PIERRE-ET-MIQUELON
Cherbourg
Brest
2 companies of naval
Maritime (SAINT-PIERRE)
1
riflemen
1 Gendarmerie 8 Coastal patrol boats Gendarmerie
grouping 1 Surveillance frigate 2 Falcon 200
coastal patrol boat for maritime surveillance
1 patrol boat
Toulon
MEDITERRANEAN Abu Dhabi
MARITIME ZONE

FRENCH WEST INDIES

ATLANTIC
Djibouti 1 Naval riflemen
detachment 1 Overseas support &
1 Alouette III
MARITIME ZONE assistance vessel (BSAOM)
PACIFIC OCEAN
1 1 Naval riflemen
detachment
Falcon 50 M
PACIFIC OCEAN FRENCH WEST INDIES Dakar 1 of Navy 1 P400-class
1 Naval riflemen
MARITIME ZONE Pointe-à-Pitre Fort-de-France unit commandos patrol vessel
CLIPPERTON detachment
MAYOTTE (MAYOTTE)
GUYANE FRENCH WEST INDIES
Cayenne
FRENCH GUIANA
1 Coastal patrol boat for
(CAYENNE)
2 Surveillance frigates (FS)
2 Coastal patrol boats for maritime surveillance (VCSM)
maritime surveillance
FRENCH POLYNESIA
Papeete
2 Antilles-Guyane patrol
vessels (PAG)
INDIAN OCEAN
REUNION (PORT DES GALETS)
1 Antilles-Guyane patrol
vessel (PAG)
2 Coastal patrol boats for
2
maritime surveillance (VCSM) Surveillance frigates (FS)
WALLIS AND FUTUNA
FRENCH POLYNESIA
MARITIME ZONE
1 Coastal harbor tugboat Mata-Utu

REUNION, MAYOTTE,
1 Overseas support & NEW CALEDONIA
FRENCH POLYNESIA (PAPEETE) 1 1 SCATTERED ISLANDS IN
THE INDIAN OCEAN
assistance vessel (BSAOM) Nouméa

U P DATED ON 01/ 01 /2 021

Panther Alouette III
PORT DES GALETS
Le Port

1 1 1 1
Surveillance frigate Patrol boat Alouette III 1 Naval riflemen
detachment
Patrol boat
(FS)
1 Polar patrol vessel (PP)

1 Overseas support & 1 Gendarmerie 2 Dauphin N3+ 1 Overseas support

assistance vessel
(BSAOM)
coastal patrol boat & assistance vessel (BSAOM)
FRENCH SOUTHERN AND 1 Panther
NEW CALEDONIA
ANTARCTIC LANDS MARITIME ZONE

2 Coastal harbor 3 Falcon 200

1 Naval riflemen
detachment ATLANTIC 1 Gendarmerie
coastal patrol boat
SOUTHERN MARITIME ZONE
OCÉAN INDIEN 1
Naval riflemen
detachment
tugboat (RPC) MARITIME ZONE

22 23
 A Navy with a technological edge
PROGRAMS

The Navy's airborne UAV system (SDAM)

Building tomorrow’s Navy
Since 2017 the Navy has been acquiring
Naval Cruise Missiles (MdCN) in order to
have the capability of striking deep
inland. Carried by different vessels, this
strategic ammunition which has a range
of about 1 000 kilometers takes
advantage of the endurance of its
carrier and of the freedom of the seas.
By 2021, all Rafale fighter planes will
have been modified to the F3R
standard. Simultaneously, the armed
forces are launching the development
of the F4 standard, hinged on four
pillars: engagement, connectivity,
support and survivability. The entry into
operational service of this latest version
will be achieved in three stages,
starting in 2024.
The new Suffren-class nuclear attack
submarines, delivered from 2020
onwards, represent a major step forward
compared to Rubis class ones. Thanks to
the F21 heavyweight torpedo and to the
MdCN (Naval Cruise Missile), their
combat capability will be increased.
They will also be able to become more
integrated into the networks of the naval
forces and carry out special underwater
actions.
will take part in a series of test flights on land
The AVSIMAR program aims to and at sea starting in 2021, in anticipation
renew the air segment of of a campaign of automatic landings on
Mine countermeasures capabilities, maritime surveillance and FREMM the following year. Starting in 2024,
currently made up of minehunters, response aviation, replacing the a first prototype will be deployed on a
sonar towing vessels and clearance 5 Falcon 200 Gardians and 8 combat ship. This system will be
diver groups, will be renewed Falcon 50Ms currently available implemented by sailors as part of The next-generation
Overseas Patrol Vessels (POM) will between 2022 and 2030 by to the Navy. The program calls operational experiments, and will nuclear-powered aircraft
carry out sovereignty and specialized vessels using surface for 12 Falcon 2,000 LXS-type participate in the definition of the systems carrier (PA-Ng) is to be fitted
maritime security missions and underwater UAV systems to aircraft, called Albatros, to be that will be delivered to the French Navy with latest electromagnetic
overseas. These hybrid-powered keep humans as far away from the delivered starting in 2025 to starting in 2029. The SDAM will then catapults and arresting wires. It
vessels will demonstrate threat as possible. This is the cover a first increment, followed contribute directly to extending the will carry some thirty SCAF
remarkable robustness and challenge of the SLAMF program: by a second one to meet the performance of sensors on combat ships, (future air combat system)
autonomy. the future mine action system. surveillance requirement. complementing the on-board helicopters. fighters.

2012-20 2019-20 2022-20 2025-2029

22 24 29
Delivery of 1
202 Rafale 023
FREMMs, 201 0 - ATL2 2021-2 PO Program 2028 -
including 2 M Upgrade Renovation POM Program BRF Program 2022-2030 2036
AVSIMAR SDAM
FREMM- DA SLAMF Program Program
Delivery of Renovation
MdCN Program NH90 Program Program HIL Program PA-Ng
30 Suffren-class SSNs 25 FDI Program
8-20 of FLFs 3-20
201 202 031 202
9
20 5-2 38
202 22-2 202 -20
0 -2030 03 0 2025

Multipurpose frigates (FREMM) constitute
the backbone of the naval surface
forces. Thanks to their heavy armament,
they are able to fulfil the most
demanding missions: anti-submarine
protection, deep strike, special
operations, anti-aircraft protection.
The delivery of the 27 Navy
Caiman helicopters fitted with
electric flight controls is
currently underway until 2021.
For standardization purposes,
the first aircraft delivered are
being retrofitted to the MR1
standard since 2017. This will
make it possible to have a
homogeneous fleet by 2023,
before embarking on the
renovation of the mission
system from 2027.
The Atlantique 2 is undergoing a The renovation of the three La
major overhaul of its combat system. Fayette-class frigates will secure
The aircraft's Standard 6 is equipped the 15-frigates format, before
with an active antenna radar, a the arrival of the Defense and
digital acoustic processing system Intervention Frigates (FDI). It
and new-generation optronics, all of involves modernizing their
which are backed by new tactical combat system, replacing their
consoles. The first three units anti-air defense system,
delivered are currently undergoing improving their stability and
operational evaluation. Operational adding a hull sonar to conduct
commissioning is scheduled for the anti-submarine warfare missions.
end of 2021. 18 aircraft will be
modified by 2024.
The current Command and
Replenishment Ships (BCR) will be
replaced by more efficient,
double-hulled Force Supply Vessels
(FSS). Delivered between 2022 and
2029, they will be equipped with a
cargo bay designed to supply the
carrier strike group with fuel,
ammunition, spare parts and food.
They will also have the capacity to
deal with asymmetric threats.
As first-rank ships, the five Defense
and Intervention Frigates (FDI) will
benefit from the latest advances in
cyber technology and one of the
most powerful fixed panel radar
systems in the world. With their
crew of 125 sailors, these 4,500-ton
vessels are scalable and
innovative, and will be able to
operate autonomously or as part
of a carrier group.
The Oceanic Patrol Vessels
(PO) will renew the fleet of
ocean-going patrol vessels
(formerly known as avisos) and
public service patrol vessels.
These ships will incorporate
numerous innovations,
especially with respect to
means of communications and
fight against asymmetric
threats.
The purpose of the HIL program is
to provide a helicopter for all three
services on a common basis. The
49 Guépards planned for the
Navy will eventually replace the
Alouette IIIs, Dauphins and
Panthers. Embarked with the
Anti-Ship Light Missile (ANL) in
particular, they will be dedicated
to anti-surface warfare.

24 25
 FINANCE RANKS AND TITLES
Military Programming Law, year 3 IN THE NAVY

In 2021, the budget for the Armed Forces increases to 39.2 - step up efforts to increase activity, including the operational MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE

billion euros, 1.7 billion euros more than in 2020, in accordance preparation of crews, in order to develop their expertise and GENERAL OFFICERS
with the 2019-2025 military programming law. The 2021 budget their ability to fight;
bill thus grants defense a budget that is 4.5% higher than the
- have sufficient ammunition supplies and shoot regularly to
2020 budget.
ensure the training of forces and the reliability of weapons,
This continued budgetary effort gives the Navy the means to including that of complex weapons.
continue the numerous projects under the Mercator plan: AMIRAL VICE-AMIRAL VICE-AMIRAL CONTRE- SENIOR PETTY
2021 will also be a pivotal year with the updating of the 2019- D’ESCADRE AMIRAL
‘‘Amiral’’ ‘‘Amiral’’ PETTY OFFICERS OFFICERS
- renew and strengthen assets and equipment (modernization 2025 military programming law, which is part of a geopolitical OF-9 ‘‘Amiral’’ OF-7 ‘‘Amiral’’

of combat capabilities, innovation, drone experimentation, context of a return to the strategic use of the sea that requires OF-8 OF-6
studies on the new-generation aircraft carrier, etc.); the Navy’s capabilities to be strengthened to enable it to fulfill
the full spectrum of its missions. SENIOR OFFICERS
- recruit, train sailors and support the attractiveness
(improvement of living conditions on board and ashore, MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE
MARINE NATIONALE
NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE MARINE
MARINENATIONALE
NATIONALE

digitization, double-crewing of some vessels, etc.); MAJOR MAÎTRE PREMIER MAÎTRE SECOND MAISTRANCIER
‘‘Major’’ PRINCIPAL MAÎTRE ‘‘Maître’’ MAÎTRE ‘‘Quartier-maître’’
‘‘Maître ‘‘Premier ‘‘Second
OR-9 principal’’ maître’’ OR-6 maître’’ OR-4
OR-9 OR-8
MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE
OR-5
MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALEMARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE MARINEMARINE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE

CAPITAINE CAPITAINE CAPITAINE

2021 BUDGET 2021 BUDGET FOR THE "DEFENSE" MISSION DE VAISSEAU DE FRÉGATE DE CORVETTE
MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE
CREW
‘‘Commandant’’ ‘‘Commandant’’ ‘‘Commandant’’
OF-5 OF-4 OF-3
in billions of euros (€bn) in billions of euros (€bn) MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE

JUNIOR OFFICERS
500 488,4
MARINE
MARINE
MARINE NATIONALE NATIONALE
NATIONALE MARINEMARINE
MARINE NATIONALE NATIONALE
NATIONALE MARINEMARINE
MARINE NATIONALE NATIONALE
NATIONALE

450 39, 2 Md € Program 178

QUARTIER-MAÎTRE QUARTIER-MAÎTRE MATELOT
"Preparation and use of forces" MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE MARINE NATIONALE DE 1RE CLASSE DE 2E CLASSE BREVETÉ
400
4% €10.3 billion MARINE
MARINE
MARINE
MARINE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE MARINE
MARINE
MARINE
MARINE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE MARINE
MARINE
MARINE
MARINE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE ‘‘Quartier-maître’’ ‘‘Quartier-maître’’ ‘‘Matelot’’
OR-4 OR-3 OR-2
Total Government Expenditures Program 146
LIEUTENANT ENSEIGNE ENSEIGNE ASPIRANT
Mission "Defense "* 35% 26% Forces equipment procurement" DE VAISSEAU DE VAISSEAU DE VAISSEAU ‘‘Lieutenant’’
€13.7bn ‘‘Capitaine’’ DE 1RE CLASSE DE 2E CLASSE OF(D)
Program 178 ‘‘Lieutenant’’ ‘‘Lieutenant’’
OF-2
OF-1 OF-1
Navy Program Operating Budget (BOP “Marine”) Program 212
"Support for Defense policy"
€13.6bn MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE
MARINEMARINE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE MARINEMARINE
MARINE NATIONALE
NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE
NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE
MARINE NATIONALE

(€12.3bn Q2 + €1.3bn excluding Q2)

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Program 144
"Environment and ON THE REFERENCE SITES
39,2 35% defense prospects" €1.6bn
10,3 2, 6
*Excluding CAS pension, excluding MARINE
MARINE
MARINE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE MARINE
MARINE
MARINE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE MARINE
MARINE
MARINE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE
NATIONALE
of which of which of which competition funds and product allocations

THE SITE OF THE MINISTRY

CREDITS DEDICATED THE COLS BLEUS (BLUE COLLARS) SITE FOR THE ARMED FORCES
TO THE OPERATIONAL CREDITS FOR www.colsbleus.fr www.defense.gouv.fr
PREPARATION AND ACTIVITY PERSONNEL CHARGES - All the daily news of the French Navy

OF THE NAVY'S FORCES - Access to the magazine’s contents

THE RECRUITMENT SITE
- 360° immersion at the heart of French Navy units
in millions of euros (M€) in millions of euros (M€) OF THE FRENCH NAVY
www.etremarin.fr
1640 M€ THE MONTHLY COLS BLEUS MAGAZINE
2, 6 Md€
- In-depth reports on the major issues facing the French Navy THE SITE DEDICATED
- Snapshots of the life of the sailors in the units TO THE FAMILIES OF THE SAILORS
17
9M Equipment maintenance Operational Fuels ARINE N ATIONAL
- Theme-based specials www.famillesdemarins.com
€ 1,907 M€ - 72% 96 M€ - 4%
1 907 M€
205 M€
THE WEEKLY LETTER
- Every Friday, a summary of the news and the agenda of the week
THE OFFICIAL NETWORKS OF THE FRENCH NAVY
€ Operating costs Equipment and ammunition income excluding Join the community!
3M - Suscribe on www.colsbleus.fr
22 223 M€ - 9% 205 M€ - 8% CAS pension excluding
€

bop 0178-0021
M

(BOP 0178-0021)
96

Infrastructure
€179 million - 7%

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