Suffren-class frigate

Last updated

Duquesne 4.jpg
Class overview
NameSuffren class
Builders
OperatorsCivil and Naval Ensign of France.svg  French Navy
Succeeded by Horizon class
Built1962–1967
In commission1967–2008
Completed2
Retired2
General characteristics (at retirement)
Type Frigate
Displacement
  • 5,335  t (5,251 long tons) (standard)
  • 6,780 t (6,670 long tons) (full load)
Length157.6 m (517 ft 1 in) oa
Beam15.54 m (51 ft 0 in)
Draught7.4 m (24 ft 3 in)
Propulsion
  • 4 × boilers
  • 4 × geared turbines
  • 54,063  kW (72,500  shp)
  • 2 × propellers
Speed34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph)
Range5,100  nmi (9,400 km; 5,900 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Complement355, including 23 officers
Sensors and
processing systems
  • DRBI 23 tridimensional sentry radar
  • DRBV 15 surface or low-altitude sentry radar
  • DRBC 33 multi-system targeting radar
  • DRBN 34
  • DRBR 51
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • 2 × Sagaie decoy launchers
  • SLQ-25 Nixie towed decoy
  • ARBR 33 jammer
  • ARBR 17 detector
Armament
  • 48 × Masurca surface-to-air missiles (DRBR 51 guided)
  • 4 × MM38 Exocet anti-ship missiles
  • 10 × L5 anti-submarine torpedoes
  • 2 × single 100 mm turrets
  • 4 × single 20 mm cannons
  • 4 × 12.7 mm machine guns

The Suffren class were two anti-air frigates of the French Navy, designed to protect a fleet against air threats, surface ships, and submarines. They were the first French ships to be built specifically as guided missile frigates. Ordered in 1960, the class was intended to be more numerous, but budget pressure from the French nuclear weapons program limited their number. The lead ship, Suffren, entered service in 1967 and the second ship, Duquesne, in 1970. They remained in service until the 2000s when they were replaced by ships of the Horizon class.

Contents

Background and description

The two ships were designed as anti-air and anti-submarine escorts for the Clemenceau-class aircraft carriers and were similar in concept to the British Type 82 destroyer. [1] They were ordered in 1960 as part of France's new naval policy of deterrence/intervention/defence following the election of Charles de Gaulle as president of France. [2] The French designation for the class was frégates lance-engins (FLE 60). [1] They were designated as frigates by the French Navy but were considered destroyers by publications. [1] [3] They were later re-designated frégates lance-missiles (FLM 60). [1]

The vessels measured 157.6 metres (517 ft 1 in) long overall and 148 m (485 ft 7 in) between perpendiculars, with a 15.54 m (51 ft 0 in) beam and a maximum draught of 7.4 m (24 ft 3 in). [1] [4] They had a standard displacement of 5,090 tonnes (5,010 long tons ) and 6,090 tonnes (5,990 long tons) at full load. [1] By 1990 the ships had a standard displacement of 5,335 t (5,251 long tons) and 6,780 t (6,670 long tons) at full load. [4] [5] The ships were powered by four multi-tube, automatic control boilers capable of 45 kg/cm2 (640 psi) at 450 °C (842 °F) creating steam for two sets of Rateau double-reduction geared turbines turning two propellers. They were rated at 54,100 kilowatts (72,500  shp ). They created a total of 3,440 kW of electrical power through two 1,000 kW turbochargers and three 480 kW diesel alternators. They had a maximum speed of 34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph) and a range of 5,100 nautical miles (9,400 km; 5,900 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph). [4] The frigates had a complement of 355 sailors including 23 officers. [1] [5] For increased stabilisation as a weapons platform, the frigates were outfitted with three pairs of non-retractable fin stabilisers. [1] They were considered extremely seaworthy vessels. [4]

The Suffren class were armed with a twin launcher situated on the quarterdeck for the Masurca surface-to-air missile. 48 missiles were carried. The Mark 2 Mod 3 Masurca missiles had a range of 30 nmi (56 km; 35 mi) and carried a 98-kilogram (216 lb) warhead. [5] The frigates were also equipped with two single-mounted 100-millimetre (3.9 in) Modèle 1953 naval guns in positions 'A' and 'B' along the centreline. [4] [lower-alpha 1] These were later upgraded to the Modèle 1964. The dual-purpose guns could fire an anti-surface shell 9 nmi (17 km; 10 mi) with a warhead of 13.5 kg (30 lb) or an anti-air shell 4.4 nmi (8.1 km; 5.1 mi). The guns could fire 80 rounds per minute. [5] The frigates also mounted a Malafon anti-submarine missile system. Each ship carried 13 missiles and the magazine was situated in the aft deckhouse. Furthermore, the Suffren class had four launchers for L5 torpedoes, two to each side of the ship, housed in the deckhouse between the mast and the bridge. Each ship carried ten torpedoes. They were the first French warships to deploy torpedoes using fixed catapults. [1]

Fire control was via the DRBI 23 3D radar for air search/tracking housed in a massive radome that dominated the ship's silhouette. The Suffren class also mounted DRBN 32, DRBV 50, two DRBR 51 and DRBC 32A radars. For anti-submarine warfare, they were equipped with DUBV 23 hull-mounted sonar and DUBV 43 towed variable depth sonar. For electronic defence, the vessels initially mounted the Syllex chaff system. The SENIT I tactical data system coordinated sensor data. [1]

Modifications

In 1977 to 1979, the MM38 Exocet anti-ship missile system was fitted to the ships. [1] Each ship carried four missiles. [5] The Masuraca system was upgraded between 1982–1985. [1] In 1985, Duquesne had its DRBV 50 radar replaced with the advanced DRBV 15 system. Suffren underwent the same radar swap-out in 1989–1990 while also having its DRBC 32A gunfire control radar replaced with the newer DRBC 33A system. Furthermore during that refit, the Syllex outfit was replaced with the Dagaie and Sagaie electronic countermeasures systems. Additionally four single-mounted 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon were fitted two to each side of the ship abaft the DRBC 33A radar. [1] [4] Duquesne was similarly modernised beginning in 1990. [1]

Ships

Suffren in 1983 French destroyer Suffren (D 602) underway in 1983.JPEG
Suffren in 1983
Suffren class construction data [1]
ShipNumberBuilderLaid downLaunchedCommissionedDecommissioned
Suffren D602 Arsenal de Brest 21 December 196215 May 196520 July 19672 April 2001 [5]
Duquesne D603 Arsenal de Lorient November 1964 [lower-alpha 2] 12 February 19661 April 19702008

Construction and career

The two ships of the class were both named after French admirals. Three ships were initially planned with more in a follow-on group, but budgetary constraints caused by building the nuclear deterrent submarines caused the programme to be terminated at two ships. They accompanied the Clemenceau-class aircraft carriers on deployments and as a result were based with them as part of the French Atlantic Fleet upon entering service. In 1975, when the Clemenceaus were transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet, the Suffrens went with them and were based at Toulon. [1] [5]

Suffren's service-life extension refit was delayed due to the ship's deployments to the Persian Gulf during the Iran–Iraq War. [6] Suffren's refit took place from 1989 to 1990. [1] Duquesne underwent its service-life extension refit from 1990 to 1991. Duquesne underwent a further refit in September 1998 to July 1999. Suffren was retired on 2 April 2001. The Suffren class was replaced by the Horizon-class frigates. [5] Suffren departed Toulon in October 2023 for scrapping at Bordeaux. [7]

Notes

  1. ↑ Prézelin states in the summary of the class that they were Modèle 1953 versions of the guns while in the explanatory silhouette, claims they are Modèle 1968. [4]
  2. ↑ Saunders states the ship was laid down on 1 February 1965 [5]

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Jordan 1995, p. 112.
  2. ↑ Jordan 1995, p. 96.
  3. ↑ Prézelin 1990, p. 153.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Prézelin 1990, pp. 153–154.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Saunders 2004, p. 231.
  6. ↑ Prézelin 1990, p. 154.
  7. ↑ Groizeleau, Vincent (27 October 2023). "La coque de l'ex-frégate Suffren attend au Portugal de pouvoir rejoindre Bordeaux" [The hull of the ex-frigate Suffren is waiting in Portugal to be able to reach Bordeaux]. Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 27 October 2023.

Related Research Articles

<i>Knox</i>-class frigate Class of Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates

The 46 Knox-class frigates were the largest, last, and most numerous of the US Navy's second-generation anti-submarine warfare (ASW) escorts. Originally laid down as ocean escorts, they were all redesignated as frigates on 30 June 1975, in the 1975 ship reclassification plan and their hull designation changed from 'DE' to 'FF'. The Knox class was the Navy's last destroyer-type design with a steam turbine powerplant.

HMS <i>Apollo</i> (F70) Frigate of the Royal Navy

HMS Apollo was a batch 3B broadbeam Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy. She was, like the rest of the class, named after a figure of mythology. Apollo was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders of Scotstoun. She was launched on 15 October 1970 and commissioned on 28 May 1972, making her the penultimate Leander.

<i>La Fayette</i>-class frigate French general purpose stealth frigates

The La Fayette class is a class of general purpose frigates built by DCNS in the 1980s/90s and still operated by the French Navy today. Derivatives of the type are in service in the navies of Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Taiwan.

<i>Georges Leygues</i>-class frigate

The Georges Leygues class was a class of anti-submarine destroyers of the French Navy. They were multi-role ships due to their Exocet and Crotale missile armament, making them especially suitable for the defence of strategic positions, show of force operations, or as high seas escorts. The design was initially officially known as a "corvette" with the designation C70, but were internationally labelled an "anti-submarine destroyer". Subsequently, the French referred to the ships as "frigates" with the designation F70.

<i>Floréal</i>-class frigate 1990s type of French warships

The Floréal class is a type of light "surveillance frigates" designed for the needs of the French Navy in low-threat environments ordered in 1989. The ships are named after months of the Republican Calendar. They use construction standards of commercial ships. The frigates were built between 1990 and 1993 by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique at Saint-Nazaire, France. The six French ships of the class, Floréal, Prairial, Nivôse, Ventôse, Vendémiaire and Germinal, remain in active service.

<i>Tourville</i>-class frigate

The F67 type, also known as the Tourville class was a class of large high-sea Frigates of the French Navy specialised in anti-submarine warfare. They had anti-air and anti-surface capabilities.

French frigate <i>Suffren</i> French Suffren Class frigate

Suffren was a Suffren-class frigate of the French Navy, designed to protect a fleet against air threats, surface ships, submarines, and, to a lesser extent, provide firepower against land objectives. She is the sister ship of Duquesne, and was decommissioned in 2001. She was the seventh French vessel named after the 18th century admiral Pierre André de Suffren.

French frigate <i>Duquesne</i> Suffren Class Destroyer

Duquesne was a Suffren-class frigate of the French Navy. She was designed to protect a fleet against air threats, surface ships, submarines, and, to a lesser extent, provide firepower against land objectives. She is the sister ship of Suffren. She is the eighth French vessel named after the 17th century admiral Abraham Duquesne. Duquesne was decommissioned in 2008.

<i>DEstienne dOrves</i>-class aviso Class of naval vessel

The D'Estienne d'Orves-class avisos, also known as the A69 type avisos, is a class of avisos, comparable in size to a light corvette, mainly designed for coastal anti-submarine defence, but are also available for high sea escort missions. Built on a simple and robust design, they have an economical and reliable propulsion system which allows them to be used for overseas presence missions. They were initially intended for use by the French Navy, but have been ordered by the South African Navy, Argentinian Navy and Turkish Navy.

T 47-class destroyer

The T 47 class or Surcouf class were the first destroyers built for the French Navy after the Second World War. Twelve ships were built between 1955 and 1957. The ships were modernised in the 1960s and decommissioned in the 1980s, when they were replaced by the Cassard and Georges Leygues-class frigates. The class was authorised in 1949 and were designed as aircraft carrier escort vessels. Three were modified to become flagships, four became anti-air guided missile destroyers and five became anti-submarine destroyers. One member of the class survives, Maillé-Brézé as a museum ship at Nantes.

French frigate <i>Aconit</i> (F65) French frigate

Aconit was a unique frigate built for the French Navy during the Cold War, in commission from 1973 until 1997. She was named after the corvette Aconit which fought in the Free French Naval Forces during World War II.

Ugra-class submarine tender

The Ugra class was the NATO reporting name for a group of seven submarine tenders built for the Soviet Navy in the late 1960s. The Soviet designation was Project 1886. One further ship was built for the Indian Navy to a modified design. The ships were intended to provide afloat support for Soviet submarines, including supplies, water, torpedoes, fuel, and battery charging; minimal repair facilities, and were often employed as flagships/command ships for submarine squadrons. A subclass, the Borodino class, of two ships were constructed for use as training ships and lacked missiles and the ability to support submarines. Instead, the Borodino class had classrooms and training facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masurca</span> Ship based naval Surface-to-air missile developed and used by france

The Masurca missile was a first-generation naval surface-to-air missile system developed and used by the French Navy. Planned as the primary air defence missile system of the first generation of French guided missile ships, it was used only aboard the two Suffren-class frigates and as a retrofit to the cruiser Colbert.

Soviet frigate <i>Druzhny</i>

Druzhny was a Project 1135 Burevestnik-class Large Anti-Submarine Ship or Krivak-class frigate. Launched on 22 January 1975, the vessel served with the Soviet Navy until it was dissolved and then was transferred to the Russian Navy. After being retired on 10 April 2002, there was an unsuccessful attempt to refit the warship as a shopping and leisure facility, but instead the vessel was scrapped.

Soviet cruiser <i>Admiral Oktyabrsky</i> Soviet Kresta II-class cruiser

Admiral Oktyabrsky was a Project 1134A Berkut A -class cruiser of the Soviet Navy, which briefly became part of the Russian Navy. The sixth ship of her class, the ship served mostly during the Cold War, from 1973 to 1993.

KRI <i>Oswald Siahaan</i> (354) Frigate of the Indonesian Navy

KRI Oswald Siahaan (354) is an Ahmad Yani-class frigate operated by the Indonesian Navy. Prior to her service in the Indonesian Navy, she served in the Royal Netherlands Navy as Van Speijk-class frigateHNLMS Van Nes (F805).

HNLMS <i>Evertsen</i> (F815)

HNLMS Evertsen (F815) was a frigate of the Van Speijk class. The ship was in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy from 1967 to 1989. The ship's radio call sign was "PAVG". She was sold to the Indonesian Navy where the ship was renamed KRI Abdul Halim Perdanakusuma (355).

HNLMS <i>Tjerk Hiddes</i> (F804)

HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes (F804) was a frigate of the Van Speijk class. The ship was in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy from 1967 to 1986. The ship's radio call sign was "PAVC". She was sold to the Indonesian Navy where the ship was renamed KRI Ahmad Yani (351).

Soviet cruiser <i>Vladivostok</i>

Vladivostok was the second Soviet Navy Project 1134 Admiral Zozulya-class Large Anti-submarine Ship also known as a Kresta I guided missile cruiser. Launched on 1 August 1966, the ship was reclassified a Large Rocket Ship on 3 August 1978 to reflect the wide-ranging capability of the vessel. Serving primarily in the Pacific Fleet during the Cold War, Vladivostok took part in exercises and tours that demonstrated Soviet naval power in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The ship played a part at a number of points of potential escalation in the Cold War, including the Indo-Pakistani War of December 1971 and the collision between the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk and the submarine K-314 in March 1984. Vladivostok was taken out of service to be modernised and updated on 28 September 1988 but there were insufficient funds to complete the work. Instead the ship was decommissioned on 19 April 1990 and, the following January, sold to an Australian company to be broken up.

Moroccan frigate <i>Allal Ben Abdellah</i> SIGMA 9813 frigate of the Royal Moroccan Navy

Allal Ben Abdellah (615) is a SIGMA 9813 frigate of the Royal Moroccan Navy. The ship is the last of three SIGMA multi-mission frigates ordered by Morocco from Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, entering service in 2012.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.