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Mistral class

 
a
Mistral class LHD, Amphibious Assault Ship, Force Projection & Command Vessel
 
 
 
 
Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accommodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accommodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
 
Description

Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accommodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accommodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.

Three ships are currently in service with the French Navy, with option and requirements for a fourth unit in the future.

The Russian Navy ordered two vessels of the class (with option for 2 more) in January 2011. The ships will be built by DCNS and STX along with Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation, OSK.

The head of class, Mistral, was commissioned with the French Navy in February 2006.
 
Shiplist
Name
Hull Number
User
Laid Down
Commissioned
Mistral
L9013
French Navy
07/2003
02/2006
Tonnerre
L9014
French Navy
08/2003
12/2006
Dixmude
L9015
French Navy
04/2009
07/2011
Vladivostok
n/a
Russian Navy
02/2012
2014
Sevastopol
n/a
Russian Navy
n/a
2015
N/A
n/a
Russian Navy
n/a
2013
N/A
n/a
Russian Navy
n/a
2012
 
Variants
- BPC 250: Original design of BPC (24,542 t, 214.5 m). This version was offered to the Royal Australian Navy for the Camberra class LHD (RAN eventually selected a Navantia design). For RAN needs it would have been fitted with a skyjump, heavier elevators and Inovelis pods to achieve higher speed (20+ kts).
     
- BPC 210: This is the final version selected by the French Navy following its own requirements. (21,500 t, 199 m)
     
- Russian Navy BPC: Similar in size to the French Mistral class (BPC 210). Minor modifications include increased hanger height to accomodate Kamov helicopters, reinforced hull to operate in Arctic zones, specific warming devices on deck, russian weapons (AK-630M, 3M-47 Gibka and MPTU) and systems.
     
- BPC 140: Downsized version of BPC (14,000 t, 169 m). 5 Helicopter spots (as opposed to 6 for BPC 210). Below deck helo hangar capacities : 6. Passengers/troops: > 400.
Technical Data
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Design
The first two vessels were constructed at various locations in three major sections (2 in Gdansk, Poland, 1 in St Nazaire, France) which were united on completion in Brest (France).
Civil standards and technologies are used in the construction process which significantly reduces both cost and time to completion.
First “all electric” ship in service within the French Navy, the BPC Mistral is fitted with two 360° rotating Pods providing unmatched maneuverability.
Missions
  • Command Ship :
    850 square meters of modular, pre-wired space. It can accommodate a military staff (national or as part of a coalition from the operational or tactical level) of up to 200 people. Onboard accommodations provide similar working conditions similar to those found on a station command ashore.
  • Amphibious operations:
    » Payload capacity: 2,650 square meters of a hangar for vehicles, cargo and 450 soldiers with levels of comfort and roominess allowing for long journeys. This ability to transport soldiers may be increased to a maximum of 700 with more basic comfort. Up to 70 vehicles or 13 MBTs or a mix of both.
    » Well-deck has capacity for 4 LCU type landing craft or 2 Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) or 2 Landing Catamarans (L-CAT/EDA-R). All types of vehicles (Jeeps, IFV, MBTs, APCs, Engineering), as well as soldiers, can be loaded into landing craft inside the well-deck and taken to shore.
  • Assault helicopter carrier:
    » Below deck hangar capacities for 16 helicopters.
    » 5,200 square meters flight deck to accommodate simultaneously up to 6 helicopters of all types in service with NATO. Helicopter spot at the bow can accommodate heavy helicopters (CH-53 or CH-47).
    » 2 elevators for optimal helicopters operational flow management to a 1,800 square meters hangar equipped with workshops dedicated to maintenance.
  • Hospital ship :
    Hospital facilities spread over 750 square meters:
    » 2 operating rooms.
    » X-ray room.
    » Dental practice.
    » Latest generation scanner.
    » 69 hospital beds.
    Hospital facilities may be significantly increased by the addition of modular shelters to provide medical support equivalent to a hospital typically found in a 30,000 inhabitants town. These hospital capacities, specifically designed to support amphibious operations, can also be harnessed for humanitarian action.
Weapons
  • Anti-air missiles:
    2 x MBDA Simbad systems (deploying Mistral SAM)
  • Guns:
    4 x 12.7 mm M2-HB Browning machine guns
Sensors, Electronics and Decoys
  • Combat Management and Information Systems:
    DCNS SENIT 9
    Thales SIC 21
  • Optronics:
    HGH Vigiscan (bow)
    SAGEM EOMS-NG (stern)
    ASV (Automatic Sea Vision)
  • Radars:
    2x Thales DRBN-38 navigation radars
    Thales MRR-3D-NG air/surface sentry radar
    Thales ARBR 21 (DR 3000S) radar warning receiver
  • Decoys/Countermeasures:
    Euroslat SLAT torpedo decoy towed array sensor
    Provisions for BMS jammers
  • Communications:
    Link 11
    Link 16
    Satellite links: Inmarsat, SYRACUSE 3-A/3-B, Fleetsatcom, RITA 2G
Engines
3x Wärtsilä diesels-alternators 16 V32 (6.4 MW)
1x Wärtsilä Vaasa auxiliary diesel-alternator 18V200 (3 MW)
1x SDMO emergency diesel-alternator (800 Kw)
2x Mermaid azimuth thrusters (2 × 7 MW) with 2x 5-bladed propellers
1x Bow thruster (1,500 Kw) (2x Thrusters on the Dixmude)
 
Specifications
Type
Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD)
Crew
170 (accommodations for up to 700 troops)
Operators
French Navy, Russian Navy
Performance
Speed: 18+ kts
Range: 11,000 nm @ 15 kts
Endurance: 30 days
Elevators dimensions
20x6 & 15x15 meters
Displacement
21,500 tonnes (full)
Propulsion
2x Mermaid azimuth thrusters
Aircraft
6 helicopter spots. Up to 16 in a hangar.
Dimensions
Length: 199 m
Breadth: 32 m
Maximum Draft: 6.2 m
Elevators capacity
13 tons
 
Detailed View
images/stories/west_europe/france/carriers_amphib/mistral/mistral_class_bpc_lhd_french_navy_dcns_blueprint.jpg
Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accomodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accomodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accomodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accomodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accomodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accomodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accomodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accomodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
 
Pictures - Video
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Eurosatory 2026 International Defence and Security Exhibition land Airland Reference Army Recognition Official News Online Web TV
Otokar
FNSS Turkey global leader manufacturer of combat armored vehicles and weapon systems
John Cockerill Defense gun turrets from 25 to 120 mm caliber

Mistral class

 
a
Mistral class LHD, Amphibious Assault Ship, Force Projection & Command Vessel
 
 
 
 
Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accommodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accommodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
 
Description

Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accommodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accommodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.

Three ships are currently in service with the French Navy, with option and requirements for a fourth unit in the future.

The Russian Navy ordered two vessels of the class (with option for 2 more) in January 2011. The ships will be built by DCNS and STX along with Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation, OSK.

The head of class, Mistral, was commissioned with the French Navy in February 2006.
 
Shiplist
Name
Hull Number
User
Laid Down
Commissioned
Mistral
L9013
French Navy
07/2003
02/2006
Tonnerre
L9014
French Navy
08/2003
12/2006
Dixmude
L9015
French Navy
04/2009
07/2011
Vladivostok
n/a
Russian Navy
02/2012
2014
Sevastopol
n/a
Russian Navy
n/a
2015
N/A
n/a
Russian Navy
n/a
2013
N/A
n/a
Russian Navy
n/a
2012
 
Variants
- BPC 250: Original design of BPC (24,542 t, 214.5 m). This version was offered to the Royal Australian Navy for the Camberra class LHD (RAN eventually selected a Navantia design). For RAN needs it would have been fitted with a skyjump, heavier elevators and Inovelis pods to achieve higher speed (20+ kts).
     
- BPC 210: This is the final version selected by the French Navy following its own requirements. (21,500 t, 199 m)
     
- Russian Navy BPC: Similar in size to the French Mistral class (BPC 210). Minor modifications include increased hanger height to accomodate Kamov helicopters, reinforced hull to operate in Arctic zones, specific warming devices on deck, russian weapons (AK-630M, 3M-47 Gibka and MPTU) and systems.
     
- BPC 140: Downsized version of BPC (14,000 t, 169 m). 5 Helicopter spots (as opposed to 6 for BPC 210). Below deck helo hangar capacities : 6. Passengers/troops: > 400.
Technical Data
Back to top
Design
The first two vessels were constructed at various locations in three major sections (2 in Gdansk, Poland, 1 in St Nazaire, France) which were united on completion in Brest (France).
Civil standards and technologies are used in the construction process which significantly reduces both cost and time to completion.
First “all electric” ship in service within the French Navy, the BPC Mistral is fitted with two 360° rotating Pods providing unmatched maneuverability.
Missions
  • Command Ship :
    850 square meters of modular, pre-wired space. It can accommodate a military staff (national or as part of a coalition from the operational or tactical level) of up to 200 people. Onboard accommodations provide similar working conditions similar to those found on a station command ashore.
  • Amphibious operations:
    » Payload capacity: 2,650 square meters of a hangar for vehicles, cargo and 450 soldiers with levels of comfort and roominess allowing for long journeys. This ability to transport soldiers may be increased to a maximum of 700 with more basic comfort. Up to 70 vehicles or 13 MBTs or a mix of both.
    » Well-deck has capacity for 4 LCU type landing craft or 2 Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) or 2 Landing Catamarans (L-CAT/EDA-R). All types of vehicles (Jeeps, IFV, MBTs, APCs, Engineering), as well as soldiers, can be loaded into landing craft inside the well-deck and taken to shore.
  • Assault helicopter carrier:
    » Below deck hangar capacities for 16 helicopters.
    » 5,200 square meters flight deck to accommodate simultaneously up to 6 helicopters of all types in service with NATO. Helicopter spot at the bow can accommodate heavy helicopters (CH-53 or CH-47).
    » 2 elevators for optimal helicopters operational flow management to a 1,800 square meters hangar equipped with workshops dedicated to maintenance.
  • Hospital ship :
    Hospital facilities spread over 750 square meters:
    » 2 operating rooms.
    » X-ray room.
    » Dental practice.
    » Latest generation scanner.
    » 69 hospital beds.
    Hospital facilities may be significantly increased by the addition of modular shelters to provide medical support equivalent to a hospital typically found in a 30,000 inhabitants town. These hospital capacities, specifically designed to support amphibious operations, can also be harnessed for humanitarian action.
Weapons
  • Anti-air missiles:
    2 x MBDA Simbad systems (deploying Mistral SAM)
  • Guns:
    4 x 12.7 mm M2-HB Browning machine guns
Sensors, Electronics and Decoys
  • Combat Management and Information Systems:
    DCNS SENIT 9
    Thales SIC 21
  • Optronics:
    HGH Vigiscan (bow)
    SAGEM EOMS-NG (stern)
    ASV (Automatic Sea Vision)
  • Radars:
    2x Thales DRBN-38 navigation radars
    Thales MRR-3D-NG air/surface sentry radar
    Thales ARBR 21 (DR 3000S) radar warning receiver
  • Decoys/Countermeasures:
    Euroslat SLAT torpedo decoy towed array sensor
    Provisions for BMS jammers
  • Communications:
    Link 11
    Link 16
    Satellite links: Inmarsat, SYRACUSE 3-A/3-B, Fleetsatcom, RITA 2G
Engines
3x Wärtsilä diesels-alternators 16 V32 (6.4 MW)
1x Wärtsilä Vaasa auxiliary diesel-alternator 18V200 (3 MW)
1x SDMO emergency diesel-alternator (800 Kw)
2x Mermaid azimuth thrusters (2 × 7 MW) with 2x 5-bladed propellers
1x Bow thruster (1,500 Kw) (2x Thrusters on the Dixmude)
 
Specifications
Type
Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD)
Crew
170 (accommodations for up to 700 troops)
Operators
French Navy, Russian Navy
Performance
Speed: 18+ kts
Range: 11,000 nm @ 15 kts
Endurance: 30 days
Elevators dimensions
20x6 & 15x15 meters
Displacement
21,500 tonnes (full)
Propulsion
2x Mermaid azimuth thrusters
Aircraft
6 helicopter spots. Up to 16 in a hangar.
Dimensions
Length: 199 m
Breadth: 32 m
Maximum Draft: 6.2 m
Elevators capacity
13 tons
 
Detailed View
images/stories/west_europe/france/carriers_amphib/mistral/mistral_class_bpc_lhd_french_navy_dcns_blueprint.jpg
Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accomodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accomodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accomodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accomodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accomodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accomodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
Designed by DCNS, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accomodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accomodations for 450 to 700 troops. Each ship of the class is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
 
Pictures - Video
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