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French Navy Resumes Ship Shock Trials to Strengthen Its Combat Readiness.
The French Navy has recently conducted a decisive shock test involving the La Fayette-class frigate Courbet, marking the first such trial in nearly three decades. This significant event highlights the Navy’s determination to enhance its readiness for high-intensity combat, a critical component in an increasingly unpredictable global security environment.
The French Navy has recently conducted a decisive shock test involving the La Fayette-class frigate Courbet. (Picture source: French MoD)
After a notable test in December 2024, where the Navy used a torpedo on the hull of the former OPV Premier Maître L'Her, the French Navy has once again pushed the boundaries of its combat readiness. On January 25, 2025, off the coast of Toulon, the Courbet underwent a live shock test. This experiment, designed to assess the ship's structural integrity and resistance in the event of an explosion, is a key part of the French Navy's ongoing efforts to improve its operational capabilities.
This shock test, conducted at sea, aimed to simulate the extreme conditions a warship might encounter in combat scenarios involving explosions. The results of this test are crucial for the POLARIS initiative, launched in 2021. The initiative aims to ensure that the French Navy’s fleet can withstand extreme conditions, with a particular focus on the resilience of warships exposed to high-intensity combat environments. The shock trials are conducted under conditions as close as possible to real combat situations, emphasizing the Navy’s commitment to improving its preparation and ensuring that its equipment is ready to meet the challenges of modern warfare.
The decision to resume shock trials stems from heightened geopolitical tensions and the uncertainty they generate. The French Navy is aware of the evolving nature of warfare, particularly in the face of growing threats from anti-ship weapons and explosives. These trials are not just a technical assessment of the durability of the ships but also a clear message from the French military: ensuring that its forces remain prepared for any eventuality, including the most extreme combat scenarios.
In a related series of tests, the French Navy launched an F21 heavy torpedo from a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) at the hull of the Premier Maître L’Her in December 2024. This experiment, focusing on the effectiveness of torpedo strikes against modern warships, represents an important step in reinforcing the Navy's emphasis on testing all aspects of ship survivability, from armor to combat systems.
This is the first live shock test conducted by the French Navy since 1995. At that time, a 250-kilogram TNT charge was detonated 30 meters from the La Fayette frigate to test its hull's resistance. The recent test on the Courbet took place under similar conditions, confirming the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a fleet capable of withstanding explosive impacts. The Courbet, a modern frigate, demonstrated its resilience during the shock test, proving that French naval vessels are not only well-equipped to face modern naval warfare but also prepared to meet future challenges.
As the French Navy continues its modernization efforts, these shock trials represent a key element in strengthening its overall combat readiness. The tests ensure that the Navy will maintain its operational superiority, not only in terms of technology and strategy but also through the durability of its fleet in extreme combat conditions. The successful completion of these trials marks the Navy’s preparation to confront rising threats in the maritime domain and highlights its commitment to protecting France’s interests on the global stage.
The resumption of shock trials aboard French Navy ships signals a renewed focus on high-intensity combat readiness, and in the face of growing geopolitical tensions, it underscores the critical need for robust and resilient naval forces.