Like Britain, the French Navy maintains a modern, multi-role force covering airpower, surface combatants, and undersea boats. The aircraft carrier fleet is limited to just one vessel (Charles de Gaulle) but these provide the necessary systems to operate the impressive Rafale fighter. The undersea fleet is comprised of ten total boats with more to come, breathing life to an aging group. The destroyer force has seen a nice modernization through the Aquitane-class as the Floreal-class moves to age out of service. Up to seventeen vessels make up the mine warfare fleet, which is considerable considering France's shorelines along European waters. Similarly, the OPV force comprises some fourteen vessels, some new, some old but overall capable. The French Navy has a strong future focus on addressing an aging nuclear-attack submarine fleet, frigate firepower, and Offshore Patrol capabilities. In addition to this, there is an initiative to give the service a new, all-modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to takeover duties of the aging Charles de Gaulle, though this program remains in its infancy. Nevertheless, the service retains an overall positive outlook.
The following represents an overview of the modern naval fighting capabilities of the French Navy (2023). The service currently counts 65 total units in its active naval inventory. This total includes frontline commissioned vessels but excludes smaller patrol vessels, auxiliary / survey ships, replenishment, and historical ceremonial types. The WDMMW review takes into account specific categories of warships covering attack, defense, and general support designs. Inventory numbers and related unit types are provided as-is and derived from publically-available information / sources. "On Order" totals found at the bottom of this article are related to any future hulls currently under procurement/construction though said hulls may not be delivered for service in the current year for various reasons.
Aircraft Carriers (1)
Hulls defined as those designed primarily to launch, retreive, and maintain fixed-wing and/or rotary-wing aircraft; nuclear- or conventionally-powered.
NOTES: Charles de Gaulle is set to be succeeded by the results of the Future French Aircraft Carrier project with a single planned vessel to the class. It will displace in the 75,000 tonne range and feature a pair of pressurized water reactors for propsulsion.
Submarines (9)
Hulls developed for undersea/submersible operation; nuclear-powered or conventionally-powered.
NOTES: The aging submarine force will be strengthened by the arrival of five additional nuclear-attack subs from the Barracuda-class.
Destroyers (21)
Multi-mission hulls developed for Blue Water environment; operating independently or as part of the main surface fleet.
NOTES: FS Latouche-Treville (D615) is set to be decommissioned in 2022.
Mine Warfare (17)
Hulls outfitted for the purpose of mine countermeasures/countermine warfare.
Offshore Patrol Vessels (14)
Hulls defined as OPVs and outfitted for the purpose of close-to-shore defense / deterrence.
NOTES: Up to six Patrouilleur d'Outre-Mer (POM) patrol vessels are to be added beginning in 2023, succeeding the L'Audacious-class. Similarly, the new ocean-going Patrouilleurs Oceanique (PO) will take over duties of the D'Estienne d'Orves-class boats.
Amphibious Assault (3)
Hulls designed specifically for the support of amphibious-minded, offshore / close-to-shore operations.
NOTES: Five total Mistral vessels have been built - two for the Egyptian Navy.
On Order (16)
Hulls set to be delivered in the current procurement year or in subsequent year(s).
On Order Commitment: 16 Units
