Breaking news
French Navy Received d'Entrecasteaux First of Four B2M Multi Mission Vessels.
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Naval
Forces News - France |
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French
Navy Received D'Entrecasteaux First of Four B2M Multi Mission Vessels |
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The French procurement agency (DGA) received, on behalf of the French
Navy (Marine Nationale) the "d'Entrecasteaux" on March 25
2016. It is the first B2M (for bâtiment multi-missions or multi-mission
vessel) intended for the overseas missions of sovereignty. D'Entrecasteaux
will soon join its home port of Noumea in New Caledonia. |
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 Head of class d'Entrecasteaux during sea trials. Picture: DGA |
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Three
multi-mission vessels of the class were ordered in December 2013 by
the DGA to the corporate group Kership, co-owned by Piriou
shipyard and DCNS. The second and third B2Ms are intended to
French Polynesia in the Pacific and the Island of Reunion. The latest
and updated military planning law provides for the order of a fourth
B2M. These vessels are designed to ensure the overseas missions of sovereignty: presence, monitoring and protection of French interests in exclusive economic zones, projection forces, logistical support and backup and support for the populations. The class has a top speed of 12 to 15 knots. They have a long endurance of approximately 30 days of operation without replenishment. They carry a work boat of about 8 metres long and semi-rigid boats, and will have a crane for loading and unloading containers. They will also be capable of deploying divers and carrying weapons and munitions. According to the French Procurement Agency (DGA), these vessels: - have the ability to project 20 personnel (joint, police or gendarmerie) with two 4x4 vehicles along with their weapons and ammunition. - will ensure the evacuation of citizens and have the ability to deploy and support divers and equipment (including drones) to conduct underwater interventions. - Under the state action at sea, they will provide fisheries police missions, and contribute to the fight against illegal immigration, drug trafficking and piracy. - They will assist ships in distress and participate in safeguarding people and property, through their firefighting means and towing capacity of up to 30 tons |