Following a competitive
bidding process, the Navy’s Fleet Support Service (SSF) has
awarded DCNS a contract to provide through-life support services for
11 minehunters at the Brest and Toulon naval bases. The contract calls
for continuing support for the vessel platforms and their 35 self-propelled
underwater mine countermeasures vehicles. This is an important win
for DCNS. The agreement came into effect on 27 December 2013 for a
period of five years.
“This new contract
testifies to the Navy’s continuing confidence in our Group,
and we continue to be proud to contribute to the availability of the
French fleet,” said Thierry Kalanquin, Senior Vice-President,
Services. “Minehunter through-life support calls for industrial
resources and expertise that few companies can match. DCNS has the
ability to provide solutions that are both comprehensive and competitively
priced.”
Éridan-class tripartite
minehunters Andromède, Sagittaire, Aigle, Croix du Sud, Éridan,
Pégase, Céphée and Cassiopée are based
at Brest while Capricorne, L’Orion and Le Lyre are based at
Toulon. All maintenance will be performed in the respective vessels’
home ports.