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BPC Dixmude.jpg
BPC Dixmude en Jounieh Bay, Líbano 2012.
Resumen de la clase
Nombre:Clase mistral
Constructores:
Operadores:
Precedido por:Clase foudre
Costo:€ 451,6 millones (2012) [2]
En comisión:Diciembre de 2005 - presente
Planificado:5
Activo:5
Características generales
Tipo:Barco de asalto anfibio
Desplazamiento:
  • 16.500 toneladas (vacío)
  • 21.500 toneladas (carga completa)
Largo:199 m (653 pies)
Haz:32 m (105 pies)
Borrador:6,3 m (21 pies)
Potencia instalada:3 alternadores diesel Wärtsilä 16 V32 (6.2 MW) + 1 alternador diesel auxiliar Wärtsilä Vaasa 18V200 (3 MW)
Propulsión:2 propulsores azimutales Rolls-Royce Mermaid (2 × 7 MW), 2 hélices de cinco palas
Velocidad:18,8 nudos (35 km / h)
Distancia:
  • 10800 km (5800 millas náuticas) a 18 nudos (33 km / h)
  • 19.800 kilómetros (10.700 millas náuticas) a 15 nudos (28 km / h)
Barcos y lanchas de
desembarco transportados:
Capacidad:70 vehículos (incluidos 13 tanques Leclerc ) o un batallón de tanques Leclerc de 40 efectivos
Tropas:
  • 900 (corta duración)
  • 450 (largas duraciones)
  • 150 (sirviendo como sede operativa)
Complemento:20 oficiales, 80 suboficiales, 60 contramaestres
Sensores y
sistemas de procesamiento:
  • Radar de navegación DRBN-38A Decca Bridgemaster E250
  • MRR3D-NG radar centinela de aire / superficie
  • 2 sistemas optrónicos de control de incendios
Armamento:
Aeronaves transportadas:16 helicópteros pesados ​​o 35 ligeros
Instalaciones de aviación:6 puntos de aterrizaje de helicópteros

La clase Mistral es una clase de cinco buques de asalto anfibios , también conocido como portahelicópteros , de la Armada francesa . Conocidos como "barcos de proyección y mando" (en francés: bâtiments de projection et de commandement o BPC), un barco de clase Mistral es capaz de transportar y desplegar 16 helicópteros NH90 o Tiger , cuatro barcazas de aterrizaje, hasta 70 vehículos, incluidos 13 Leclerc. tanque , o un batallón de tanques Leclerc de 40 efectivos, [4] y 450 soldados. Los barcos están equipados con un hospital de 69 camas y pueden servir como parte de unFuerza de Respuesta de la OTAN , o con las fuerzas de mantenimiento de la paz de las Naciones Unidas o de la Unión Europea.

Tres barcos de la clase están en servicio en la Armada francesa: Mistral , Tonnerre y Dixmude . El entonces presidente francés Nicolas Sarkozy anunció un acuerdo por dos buques para la Armada rusa el 24 de diciembre de 2010, y se firmó el 25 de enero de 2011. En septiembre de 2014, el presidente francés François Hollande anunció el aplazamiento de la entrega del primer buque de guerra, Vladivostok , debido a la crisis Rusia-Ucrania . El 5 de agosto de 2015, el presidente Hollande y el presidente ruso Vladimir Putin anunciaron que Francia reembolsaría los pagos y se quedaría con los dos barcos; los dos barcos se vendieron más tarde a Egipto . [5]

Historia [ editar ]

Doctrina francesa de operaciones anfibias en 1997 [ editar ]

En 1997, la DCNS inició un estudio para un buque de intervención polivalente ( bâtiment d'intervention polyvalent o BIP). Al mismo tiempo, la doctrina francesa de operaciones anfibias fue evolucionando y definiéndose como CNOA (Francés: Concepto nacional de operaciones anfibias, "Diseño nacional para operaciones anfibias"). [6] El BIP era renovar y aumentar las capacidades anfibias de la Marina francesa, que en ese momento consistía en dos Foudre -class y dos Ouragan -class muelles plataforma de aterrizaje .

La CNOA debía afirmar la capacidad de la Armada francesa para realizar asaltos anfibios, retiradas, demostraciones y redadas. Esto permitiría a la Armada francesa integrarse aún más en los marcos doctrinales descritos por la Publicación Táctica Aliada 8B (ATP8) de la OTAN y la Iniciativa Anfibia Europea . Si bien la CNOA hizo de las capacidades aéreas una prioridad, también recomendó un aumento en la cantidad de vehículos y personal que podrían ser transportados y desplegados; [7] la CNOA fijó el objetivo de proyectar una fuerza compuesta por cuatro compañías de combate (1.400 hombres, 280 vehículos y 30 helicópteros) durante diez días, en un sector de 100 kilómetros de profundidad; esta fuerza debería poder intervenir en cualquier lugar dentro de los 5000 kilómetros de la metrópoli francesa, o en apoyo de territorios o aliados franceses de ultramar. [6] Además de las operaciones conjuntas con las fuerzas de la OTAN y la UE, cualquier barco propuesto tenía que ser capaz de realizar operaciones interservicios con las brigadas Troupes de Marine del ejército francés . [8]

Evolución del concepto [ editar ]

Los estudios para un buque de intervención polivalente (francés: bâtiment d'intervention polyvalent , BIP) comenzaron en una época en la que las industrias de defensa se preparaban para someterse a una reestructuración e integración. El BIP estaba destinado a ser un diseño modular y escalable que pudiera estar disponible para las diversas naciones de la Unión Europea y construirse de manera cooperativa, pero las cuestiones políticas relacionadas con el empleo y la repartición de contratos hicieron que fallara la integración de las naciones europeas con experiencia en ingeniería naval. y vio el proyecto BIP volver a ser una preocupación exclusivamente francesa. [ cita requerida ]

En 1997 , se reveló una serie de diseños de buques comunes denominados nouveau transport de chalands de débarquement (NTCD), basados ​​libremente en el abortado portahelicópteros nuclear PH 75 . El más grande de ellos fue BIP-19, que más tarde se convirtió en la base del Mistralclase. El diseño del BIP-19 incluía una plataforma empotrada de 190 metros (620 pies) de largo, con una viga de 26,5 metros (87 pies), un calado de 6,5 metros (21 pies) y un desplazamiento de 19.000 toneladas; dimensiones que excedían los requisitos del concepto de NTCD. También se revelaron tres diseños de barcos más pequeños, basados ​​en versiones reducidas del diseño BIP-19 y con un haz común de 23 metros (75 pies): BIP-13 (13.000 toneladas, 151 metros (495 pies)), BIP- 10 (10,000 toneladas, 125 metros (410 pies)) y BIP-8 (8,000 toneladas, 102 metros (335 pies)). BIP-8 incorporó características de los transportes anfibios italianos de la clase San Giorgio , pero incluyó un hangar para helicópteros.

Sable de la nave de desembarco

En la etapa de diseño, el concepto NTCD incluía un elevador de aviones en el lado de babor (como la clase Tarawa de EE. UU. ), Otro en el lado de estribor, uno en el centro de la cubierta de vuelo y uno en la parte delantera de la superestructura de la isla. Estos se redujeron más tarde en número y se reubicaron: un elevador principal hacia la popa del barco se ubicó originalmente a estribor, pero luego se movió al centro, y un elevador auxiliar detrás de la superestructura de la isla. [9] Los dibujos conceptuales y las descripciones creados por Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN), uno de los dos constructores navales involucrados en el proyecto, mostraron varias características similares a portaaviones, incluida una rampa de salto de esquí para aviones STOBAR (que permite la operación deAV-8B Harrier II y F-35 Lightning II -B), cuatro o cinco puntos de aterrizaje de helicópteros (incluido uno reforzado para acomodar helicópteros V-22 Osprey o CH-53E Super Stallion ), y una cubierta de pozo capaz de acomodar un Sabre - Lancha de desembarco de clase , o dos aerodeslizadores LCAC . [10] Una revisión del Senado francés concluyó que los aviones STOBAR estaban fuera del alcance de la CNOA, requiriendo la modificación del diseño. [11]

El NTCD pasó a llamarse Porte-hélicoptères d'intervention (PHI, por "porta helicópteros de intervención") en diciembre de 2001, antes de ser finalmente nombrado Bâtiment de projection et de commandement (BPC) para enfatizar los aspectos anfibios y de mando del concepto. [12]

Diseño y construcción [ editar ]

En Euronaval 1998, los franceses confirmaron que estaban planeando construir una serie de buques basados ​​en el concepto BIP-19. Sin embargo, la aprobación para la construcción de dos buques, Mistral y Tonnerre , no se recibió hasta el 8 de diciembre de 2000. El 22 de diciembre se publicó un contrato de construcción y, después de recibir la aprobación de la autoridad de adquisiciones públicas ( Union des groupements d'achats publics , UGAP ) el 13 de julio de 2001, fue adjudicado a Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) y Chantiers de l'Atlantique a finales de julio. Un equipo de diseño de ingeniería se estableció en Saint-Nazaire en septiembre de 2001 y, tras la consulta entre DCA y elDélégation Générale pour l'Armement (Delegación General de Artillería, DGA), comenzó a estudiar y adaptar el diseño del BIP-19. Paralelamente, la DGA, la DCN, el Jefe del Estado Mayor de Defensa y los Chantiers de l'Atlantiqueestaban perfeccionando el concepto general. Durante el proceso de diseño y validación, se construyó y probó un modelo a escala 1/120 en un túnel de viento , revelando que en vientos cruzados fuertes, la altura del barco y las superestructuras alargadas creaban turbulencias a lo largo de la cubierta de vuelo. El diseño se modificó para minimizar estos efectos y proporcionar mejores condiciones para las operaciones de helicópteros. [13]

  • Comparación entre el BPC y los tipos de TCD anteriores .

  • Dixmude junto a la fragata furtiva Surcouf amarrada en Toulon

Los barcos se construirían en varios lugares en dos componentes principales y varios menores, que se unirían al completarse. DCN, que fue designado jefe de construcción y responsable del 60% del valor de la construcción y el 55% del tiempo de trabajo, ensambló los motores en Lorient , los sistemas de combate en Toulon y la mitad trasera del barco, incluida la isla. superestructura, en Brest . STX Europe , una subsidiaria de STX Shipbuilding de Corea del Sur , construyó las mitades delanteras de cada barco en Saint-Nazaire y fue responsable de transportarlas al astillero de DCN en Brest para el ensamblaje final. [1]Otras empresas participaron en la construcción: parte del trabajo de construcción se subcontrató a Stocznia Remontowa de Gdańsk , mientras que Thales proporcionó los radares y los sistemas de comunicaciones. Se predijo que cada barco tardaría 34 meses en completarse, y el diseño y la construcción de ambos barcos costarían 685 millones de euros (aproximadamente el mismo costo para un solo barco basado en el HMS  Ocean o el USS  San Antonio , y aproximadamente el mismo costo que el anterior. Buques anfibios clase Foudre , que desplazaron la mitad del tonelaje de los barcos clase Mistral y tardaron 46,5 meses en completarse). [14]

A partir de Dixmude , el resto de los Mistral franceses y los dos primeros Mistral rusos fueron construidos en Saint-Nazaire por STX France, que es propiedad conjunta de STX Europe, Alstom y el gobierno francés, siendo STX Europe la mayoría. apostar. DCNS proporcionará el sistema de combate del barco. [1] Las popas de los barcos rusos fueron construidas en San Petersburgo, Rusia por Baltic Shipyard .

  • Montaje de la parte trasera del Mistral en Brest durante septiembre de 2003

  • Llegada de la parte delantera del Mistral a Brest el 19 de julio de 2004

DCN colocó las quillas de la popa de ambos barcos en 2002; Mistral el 9 de julio y Tonnerre el 13 de diciembre. [15] Chantiers de l'Atlantique colocó la quilla de la parte delantera de Mistral el 28 de enero de 2003 y de Tonnerre más tarde. [ cuando? ] El primer bloque de la parte trasera de Tonnerre se puso en dique seco el 26 de agosto de 2003 y el de Mistral el 23 de octubre de 2003. Los dos tramos de popa se ensamblaron uno al lado del otro en el mismo dique seco. La sección delantera de Mistralsalió de Saint-Nazaire remolcado el 16 de julio de 2004 y llegó a Brest el 19 de julio de 2004. El 30 de julio, la combinación de las dos mitades mediante un proceso similar a la jumboización comenzó en el muelle no. 9. La sección delantera de Tonnerre llegó a Brest el 2 de mayo de 2005 y se sometió al mismo procedimiento.

Mistral poco después del lanzamiento

El Mistral se botó según lo previsto el 6 de octubre de 2004, mientras que el Tonnerre se botó el 26 de julio de 2005. [16] La entrega de los barcos estaba prevista para finales de 2005 y principios de 2006 respectivamente, pero se pospuso durante más de un año debido a problemas con el SENIT 9. sistema de sensores y deterioro de la cubierta de la cubierta de linóleo de las secciones delanteras. Fueron enviados a la Armada francesa el 15 de diciembre de 2006 y el 1 de agosto de 2007, respectivamente. [dieciséis]

El Livre Blanc sur la Défense et la Sécurité nationale 2008 ( Libro Blanco sobre Defensa y Seguridad Nacional ) francés , un documento que define la política en materia de defensa, pronosticó que dos BPC más estarían en servicio con la Armada francesa para 2020. [17 ] Se ordenó un tercer barco en 2009, y este pedido se realizó antes de lo esperado como parte de la respuesta del gobierno francés a la recesión que comenzó en 2008 . [18] Su construcción comenzó el 18 de abril de 2009 en Saint-Nazaire ; debido a limitaciones económicas, todo el barco se construyó allí. [19]

El 17 de diciembre de 2009, se anunció que el tercer barco de esta clase se llamaría Dixmude . [20] [21] Se había sugerido que podría recibir el nombre histórico de Jeanne d'Arc tras el desmantelamiento del helicóptero crucero de ese nombre en 2010, pero la idea encontró oposición en algunos círculos navales franceses. [22] La posibilidad de un barco de la cuarta clase Mistral fue oficialmente abandonada en el Libro Blanco francés de 2013 sobre Defensa y Seguridad Nacional .

Funciones y capacidades [ editar ]

Tonnerre

Según el tonelaje de desplazamiento, Mistral y Tonnerre son los barcos más grandes de la Armada francesa después del portaaviones de propulsión nuclear Charles de Gaulle , para aproximadamente la misma altura sobre el agua.

Aviación [ editar ]

La cabina de vuelo de cada barco es de aproximadamente 6.400 metros cuadrados (69.000 pies cuadrados). La cubierta tiene seis puntos de aterrizaje de helicópteros, uno de los cuales es capaz de soportar un helicóptero de 33 toneladas. La cubierta del hangar de 1.800 metros cuadrados (19.000 pies cuadrados) tiene capacidad para 16 helicópteros e incluye un área de mantenimiento con un puente grúa. Para ayudar en el lanzamiento y la recuperación, se utilizan un radar de aterrizaje DRBN-38A Decca Bridgemaster E250 y un sistema de aterrizaje óptico .

La cabina de vuelo de Mistral vista desde la superestructura de la isla. Se pueden ver ambos elevadores: el elevador principal en la parte trasera del barco y el elevador auxiliar en el extremo izquierdo del marco.

Las cubiertas de vuelo y hangar están conectadas por dos elevadores de aviones, cada uno capaz de levantar 13 toneladas. El elevador principal de 225 metros cuadrados (2.420 pies cuadrados) está ubicado cerca de la popa del barco, en la línea central, y es lo suficientemente grande para que los helicópteros se muevan con sus rotores en configuración de vuelo. El elevador auxiliar de 120 metros cuadrados (1.300 pies cuadrados) está ubicado detrás de la superestructura de la isla.

Cada helicóptero operado por el ejército francés es capaz de volar desde estos barcos. El 8 de febrero de 2005, un Westland Lynx de la Marina y un Cougar aterrizaron en Mistral . El primer aterrizaje de un NH90 tuvo lugar el 9 de marzo de 2006. La mitad del grupo aéreo de los BPC estará constituido por NH-90 y la otra mitad por helicópteros de ataque Tigre . El 19 de abril de 2007, helicópteros Puma , Écureuil y Panther aterrizaron en Tonnerre . El 10 de mayo de 2007, un MH-53E Sea Dragon de la Armada de los Estados Unidos aterrizó en su helicóptero reforzado frente a la Estación Naval de los Estados Unidos en Norfolk .

According to Mistral's first commanding officer, Capitaine de vaisseau Gilles Humeau, the size of the flight and hangar decks would allow the operation of up to thirty helicopters.[23]

Mistral aviation capabilities approach those of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ships, for roughly 40% the cost and crew requirements of the American ship.[24]

Amphibious transport[edit]

A U.S. Marine Corps M1A1 Abrams tank embarks aboard Tonnerre off the coast of North Carolina for Composite Training Unit Exercise (7 February 2009).

Mistral-class ships can accommodate up to 450 soldiers, although this can be doubled for short-term deployments. The 2,650-square-metre (28,500 sq ft) vehicle hangar can carry a 40-strong Leclerc tank battalion, or a 13-strong Leclerc tank company and 46 other vehicles. By comparison, Foudre-class ships can carry up to 100 vehicles, including 22 AMX-30 tanks, in the significantly smaller 1,000-square-metre (11,000 sq ft) deck.

The 885-square-metre (9,530 sq ft) well deck can accommodate four landing craft. The ships are capable of operating two LCAC hovercraft, and although the French Navy appears to have no intention of purchasing any LCACs,[25] this capability improves the class' ability to interoperate with the United States Marine Corps and the British Royal Navy. Instead the DGA ordered eight French-designed 59-tonne EDA-R catamarans.[26]

  • Two landing craft in the well deck of Mistral

  • Aft of Tonnerre, with the well deck door and elevator

  • EDA-R catamaran

Command and communications[edit]

The island superstructure, as seen from the flight deck

Mistral-class ships can be used as command and control ships, with a 850-square-metre (9,100 sq ft) command centre which can host up to 150 personnel. Information from the ship's sensors is centralised in the SENIT system (Système d'Exploitation Navale des Informations Tactiques, "System for Naval Usage of Tactical Information"),[27] a derivative of the US Navy's Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS). Problems in the development of the SENIT 9 revision contributed to the one-year delay in the delivery of the two ships. SENIT 9 is based around Thales' tri-dimensional MRR3D-NG Multi Role Radar, which operates on the C band and incorporates IFF capabilities. SENIT 9 can also be connected to NATO data exchange formats through Link 11, Link 16 and Link 22.

For communications, the Mistral-class ships use the SYRACUSE satellite system, based on French satellites SYRACUSE 3-A and SYRACUSE 3-B which provide 45% of the Super High Frequency secured communications of NATO. From 18 to 24 June 2007, a secure video conference was held twice a day between Tonnerre, then sailing from Brazil to South Africa, and VIP visitors at the Paris Air Show.[28]

Armament[edit]

Emplacement of the bow 30 mm Breda-Mauser, not presently installed. Another turret is planned aft.

As of 2008, the two Mistral-class ships were armed with two Simbad launchers for Mistral missiles and four 12.7 mm M2-HB Browning machine guns.[16] Two Breda-Mauser 30 mm/70 guns are also included in the design, though not installed as of 2009.

Incidents such as the near-loss of the Israeli corvette INS Hanit to a Hezbollah-fired anti-ship missile during the 2006 Lebanon War have shown the vulnerability of modern warships to asymmetric threats, with the Mistral-class ships considered under-equipped for self-defence in such a situation.[23] Consequently, Mistral and Tonnerre cannot be deployed into hostile waters without sufficient escorting ships. This problem is compounded by the small number of escort ships in the French Navy; there is a five-year gap between the decommissioning of the Suffren-class frigates and the commissioning of their replacements, the Horizon-class and FREMM frigates.

Following the experiences of French naval commanders during Opération Baliste, the French deployment to aid European citizens in Lebanon during the 2006 war, proposals to improve the self-defence capabilities of the two Mistral-class ships were supported by one of the French chiefs of staff, and are under active consideration as of 2008.[16][29] One suggestion is to upgrade the dual-launching, manual Simbad launchers to quadruple-launching, automatic Tetral launchers.[30]

In December 2014, the French Navy awarded a contract to Airbus to study the integration of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) with Mistrals. This is an attempt to increase the ships' naval fire support capabilities, as current 76 mm and 100 mm guns have been determined to have insufficient range and lethality for the role. The MLRS is in service with the French Army, using a GPS-guided rocket with a range of 70 km (43 mi) and a unitary 90 kg (200 lb) high-explosive warhead.[31]

In late 2013 The French Navy equipped all three Mistral "BPC" ships with two M134 Miniguns each; intended for close-in self-defense against asymmetric threats faced during anti-piracy operations, such as speedboats and kamikaze boats.[32]

In late 2011, the French Navy selected the NARWHAL20 remote weapon station (RWS) to equip Mistral ships for close-in self-defense. Nexter Systems will deliver two NARWHAL20B guns for each ship, chambered in 20×139mm ammunition, with one gun covering the port bow and the other covering the starboard stern. The Dixmude was the first of the vessels outfitted with the cannons in March 2016.[33]

  • One of the two SIMBAD launchers of Mistral

  • An uncovered SIMBAD launcher

  • Machine gun on Mistral

Hospital[edit]

Each ship carries a NATO Role 3 medical facility,[34][35] i.e., equivalent to the field hospital of an Army division or army corps, or to the hospital of a 25,000-inhabitant city, complete with dentistry, diagnostics, specialist surgical and medical capabilities, food hygiene and psychological capabilities.[36] A Syracuse-based telemedicine system allows complex specialised surgery to be performed.[37]

The 900 m2 hospital[38] provides 20 rooms and 69 hospitalisation beds, of which 7 are fit for intensive care.[39] The two surgery blocks come complete with a radiology room[40] providing digital radiography and ultrasonography, and that can be fitted with a mobile CT scanner.[34]

50 medicalised beds are kept in reserve and can be installed in a helicopter hangar to extend the capacity of the hospital in case of emergency.[41]

Propulsion[edit]

Two of the Wärtsilä 16 V32 diesel alternators

The Mistral class are the first ships of the French Navy to use azimuth thrusters. The thrusters are powered by electricity from five 16-cylinder Wärtsilä 16V32 diesel alternators, and can be oriented in any angle. This propulsion technology gives the ships significant manoeuvering capabilities, as well as freeing up space normally reserved for propeller shafts.

The long-term reliability of azimuth thrusters in military use is yet to be rigorously studied, but the technology has been employed aboard ships in several navies, including the Dutch Rotterdam class, the Spanish Galicia class, and the Canadian Kingston class.

Accommodation[edit]

The space gained by the use of the azimuth thrusters allowed for the construction of accommodation areas where no pipes or machinery are visible. Located in the forward section of the ship, crew cabins aboard Mistral-class ships are comparable in comfort levels to passenger cabins aboard Chantiers de l'Atlantique-constructed cruise ships.

The fifteen officers each have an individual cabin. Senior non-commissioned officers share two-man cabins, while junior crew and embarked troops use four- or six-person cabins. Conditions in these accommodation areas are said to be better than in most barracks of the French Foreign Legion, and when United States Navy vice-admiral Mark Fitzgerald inspected one of the Mistral-class ships in May 2007, it was claimed that he would have used the same accommodation area to host a crew three times the size of Mistral's complement.[35]

Operational history[edit]

The BPCs are certified as members of the naval component of the NATO Response Force, which allows them to take part in a Combined Joint Task Force. France provided forces to NRF-8 in January 2007, including a Commander Amphibious Task Force and 8 ships. The next contribution took place in January 2008 in NRF-10, after exercises Noble Midas which tested link 16 and the SECSAT system which operationally controls submarines. The forces can be set up on 5 to 30 days' notice.

Mistral made her maiden voyage from 21 March to 31 May 2006, cruising in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.

Mistral sailing with HMS Argyll off West Africa in 2013

Following the start of the 2006 Lebanon War, Mistral was one of four French ships deployed to the waters off Lebanon as part of Opération Baliste. These ships were to protect, and if necessary evacuate, French citizens in Lebanon and Israel. Mistral embarked 650 soldiers and 85 vehicles, including 5 AMX-10 RC and about 20 VABs and VBLs. Four helicopters were also loaded aboard, with another two joining the ship near Crete. During her deployment, Mistral evacuated 1,375 refugees.[42]

Tonnerre's maiden voyage occurred between 10 April and 24 July 2007. During this voyage, Tonnerre was involved in Opération Licorne, the French co-deploying complement to the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire following the Ivorian Civil War. Gazelle and Cougar helicopters of the French Air Force operated from the ship during 9 July.

At the start of 2008, Tonnerre was involved in the Corymbe 92 mission (see Standing French Navy Deployments), a humanitarian mission in the Gulf of Guinea. During this deployment, Tonnerre acted on tip-offs from the European Maritime Analysis Operation Centre – Narcotics, and intercepted 5.7 tonnes of smuggled cocaine: 2.5 tonnes from a fishing vessel 520 kilometres (280 nmi) from Monrovia on 29 January, and 3.2 tonnes from a cargo ship 300 kilometres (160 nmi) off Conakry.

In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck Burma; the worst natural disaster to hit the region. Mistral, which was operating in the East Asia area at the time, loaded humanitarian aid supplies, and sailed to Burma. The ship was refused entry to the nation's ports;[43][44] the 1,000 tons of humanitarian supplies had to be unloaded in Thailand and handed over to the World Food Program.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé announced on 23 May 2011 that Tonnerre would be deployed with attack helicopters to the Libyan coast to enforce UN resolution 1973.[45]

Export[edit]

Since 1997, and particularly since the Euronaval 2007, the Mistral type has been promoted for export. The "BPC family" comprises the BPC 140 (13,500 tonnes), the BPC 160 (16,700 tonnes) and the BPC 250 (24,542 tonnes, 214.5 metres (704 ft) long). The BPC 250 was the design from which the final Mistral-class design was derived: the reduction in length and other modifications were a price-saving exercise.[46]The BPC 250 concept was one of two designs selected for the Canberra-class amphibious warfare ships, to be constructed for the Royal Australian Navy.[46] The design finally chosen was the Spanish Buque de Proyección Estratégica-class amphibious ship.[46]

In 2012, the Royal Canadian Navy showed "strong interest" in buying two Mistral ships. The two Canadian ships were to be built by SNC Lavalin, with an option to buy a third. The project represented a total investment of $2.6 Billion.[47][48] Canada had also pursued the two former Russian vessels, and Canada's defense minister held a face to face exchange at the NATO Ministerial in June 2015.[49] As of late 2011, the Polish Navy has been working closely with the Polish Ministry of Defense to purchase one Mistral ship. The Indian Navy has also expressed interest in the design of the Mistral type as a Multi-Role Support Vessel.[50] Brazil and Turkey could in time consider purchasing BPCs, but in the end Turkey also chose a derivative of Navantia's Juan Carlos I, the TCG Anadolu.[51] Algeria is also considering the purchase of two BPCs.[52][53] South Africa, The United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Singapore also reportedly expressed interest in the Mistral.[54]

Russian purchase[edit]

In August 2009, General Nikolai Makarov, Chief of the Russian General Staff, suggested Russia planned to purchase one ship and intended to later construct three further ships in Russia. In February 2010, he said that construction would start sometime after 2015 and would be a joint effort with France.[55] French President Nicolas Sarkozy favoured the building of the first two ships in France and only the second two in Russia.[56] According to Moscow-based Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, the first ship would be entirely built and assembled in France from 2013,[57] the second would also be built in France, delivered in 2015, but with a higher proportion of Russian components.[57] Two more would be built in Russia by a DCNS/Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) joint-venture.[58][59] On 1 November 2010, Russia's USC and France's DCNS and STX France signed an agreement to form a consortium, including technology transfer, the USC president stated that it was linked to the Mistral deal.[60]

A protest against the Mistral sale to Russia at Saint-Nazaire, June 2014

On 24 December 2010, after eight months of talks, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev approved the purchase by Rosoboronexport of two Mistral class ships (and an option for two more) from France for €1.37 billion (€720 million for the 1st ship; €650 million for the second).[56][61][62] The first ship was expected to be delivered in late 2014 or early 2015; Russia made an advance payment in early 2011 pursuant to 25 January 2011 memorandum of understanding between the two parties.[63] On 25 January 2011, the final agreement between Russia and France was signed.[64]

In the United States, six Republican senators, including John McCain, complained to the French ambassador in Washington about the proposed sale;[65] Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the top Republican on the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, introduced a resolution that "France and other member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union should decline to sell major weapons systems or offensive military equipment to the Russian Federation."[66] On 8 February 2010, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told French officials that the US was "concerned"; however, accompanying US officials said there is little the US could do to block the deal,[67] and that it "did not pose a major problem."[68] The same day, the deal was granted by France's DGA. It was the first major arms deal between Russia and a NATO country since the Soviet Union's acquisition of Rolls-Royce Nene and Rolls-Royce Derwent turbojet engines in 1947.[69] NATO members Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia protested the deal; Lithuania's Defence Minister Rasa Jukneviciene stated that "[i]t's a mistake. This is a precedent, when a NATO and EU member sells offensive weaponry to a country whose democracy is not at a level that would make us feel calm."[70]

Some design changes were needed, such as for compatibility with Russian Ka-52 and Ka-27 helicopters. In 2013, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin stated that the ships would not be able to operate in Russia's climate,[71] and required a grade of diesel fuel not produced in Russia.[72] Russian General Staff General Nikolai Makarov announced that the first ship would be deployed to the Russian Pacific Fleet, and could transport troops to the Kuril Islands if sought.[73] According to Nikolai Makarov, the chief reason for the Mistral purchase over domestic producers was that Russia required an unacceptable delay of ten years to develop the technologies needed.[74] In March 2011, the deal stalled on Russian demands for sensitive NATO technologies to be included with the ships.[75] In April 2011, the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev fired the senior Navy official overseeing the talks with France.[76] On 17 June 2011, the two nations signed an agreement for two ships for $1.7 billion.[77]

The planned Sevastopol, late 2014

In 2014, the Mistral sale was put on hold due to an arms embargo of Russia over the Crimean crisis.[78] French foreign minister Laurent Fabius evaluated the deal in response to the Crimean referendum and the enactment of "phase two" economic sanctions; cancelling the Mistral contract was considered to be "phase three"; Fabius noted that cancelling would damage France's economy.[79] In May 2014, Paris guaranteed the two ships' completion.[80]

On 3 September 2014, French President François Hollande announced that neither ship would be delivered due to Russia's "recent actions in Ukraine".[81] In November 2014, the Hollande government placed a hold on the first delivery to Russia and set two conditions: a ceasefire in Ukraine and a political agreement between Moscow and Kiev.[82] In December 2014, Russia gave the French government a choice to deliver the two ships or refund the $1.53 billion purchase price.[83] On 26 May 2015, Russian news agencies quoted Oleg Bochkaryov, deputy head of the Military Industrial Commission, as saying "Russia won’t take them, it’s an accomplished fact. Now there’s only one discussion—concerning the money sum that should be returned to Russia."[84] On 5 August 2015 it was announced that France shall return Russia's partial payments and keep the two ships intended for Russia.[85][86]

Egyptian purchase[edit]

ENS Anwar El Sadat at Saint-Nazaire in April 2016

On 7 August 2015, a French diplomatic source confirmed that President Hollande discussed the matter with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during his visit to Egypt during the inauguration of the New Suez Canal in Ismailia.[87][88] Subsequently, Egypt and France concluded the deal to acquire two former Russian Mistral for roughly 950 million euros, including the costs of training Egyptian crews.[89][90] Speaking on RMC Radio, Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Defence Minister, said that Egypt had already paid the whole price for the helicopter carriers.[citation needed] Egypt also purchased the Russian helicopters that were planned for the ships.

Mistral 140[edit]

DCNS unveiled a model of a smaller version of the standard Mistral BPC 210 ship called the Mistral 140 in September 2014 at the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2014 exhibition in Pretoria, South Africa. Compared to the full-sized ship's 21,500 tons displacement and 199 m (653 ft) length with six helicopter landing spots, the 140 would have a displacement of 14,000 tons, 170 m (560 ft) long with five helicopter landing spots. It would be 30 m (98 ft) wide with a range of 6,000 nmi (6,900 mi; 11,000 km) at 15 knots.

Like the original plans for the Mistral BPC 210 that have not yet come to fruition, the Mistral 140 would have naval guns at the left stern and at the right side of the bow, with heavy machine gun posts on both sides. There would be a well dock in the stern for landing craft, and two alcoves on each side to launch rigid-hulled inflatable boats, along with a crane positioned amidships behind the superstructure. The hangar deck would have space for ten helicopters, with a 400 m2 joint operations centre for a command staff. There would be accommodation for about 500 troops as well as over 30 vehicles and a 30-bed hospital. Propulsion would be provided by two azimuth pods and a bow thruster, probably an all-electric propulsion system like the BPC 210.

DCNS is advertising the Mistral 140 as "a political tool for civilian and military action" for countries that cannot afford the standard Mistral vessels. Roles listed include humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, crisis management, force protection, joint headquarters command, medical and logistics support and transport of military forces. The company is pitching the ship to countries less likely to engage in combat operations which need something more like a multi-role support or logistics ship, particularly the South African Navy.[91]

Ships[edit]

Pennant no.NameLaid downLaunchedCommissionedHomeport
French Navy
L9013Mistral10 July 20036 October 2004February 2006Toulon
L9014Tonnerre26 August 200326 July 2005December 2006Toulon
L9015Dixmude18 April 200917 September 2010[92]27 December 2012[93]Toulon
Egyptian Navy
L1010 [94]Gamal Abdel Nasser
(ex-Vladivostok)		18 June 2013[95]20 November 2014[96][97]2 June 2016[98]Safaga[99]
L1020Anwar El Sadat
(ex-Sevastopol)		1 February 2012[100]15 October 2013[101][102]16 September 2016[103]Alexandria

See also[edit]

  • Charles de Gaulle – French aircraft carrier
  • Project 23900 amphibious assault ship – Russia's future landing helicopter dock, a replacement for the two undelivered Mistral-class vessels

Notes and references[edit]

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External links[edit]

  • Mistral class (Navy recognition)
  • French Marine Nationale - Le BPC, un navire nouvelle génération
  • globalsecurity.org
  • DCN.fr
  • Meretmarine.com
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20081115060154/http://www.dcnsgroup.com/cen/mistral.html