French Navy (1954-92), T53 design. Duperré, La Bourdonnais, Forbin, Tartu, Jauréguiberry D633-637 Second class of postwar destroyers built for the Marine Nationale, the T53 were an improvement of the T47 (Surcouf class), only five being built before French developments on missiles led to La Galissonnière (1960), the initial 6th T53 (now T56), and the Suffren … Read more
French Navy (1988-today). CATOBAR Carrier The European Nuclear Carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (Ex-Richelieu) was designed back in 1975 as a successor of the Clemenceau class, two fleet carriers built in the late 1950s. She was to be the lead ship of a class of two, only one was completed. FS Charles De Gaulle was … Read more
French Navy (1957) carriers: FS Clemenceau, Foch For this 14 of july 2022, French national holiday, here is the Clemenceau class carriers: Clemenceau and Foch were the first purpose-designed aircraft carriers in France since the Joffre class in 1938. They were somewhat inspired by the modernized Essex class, and became the only CATOBAR carriers in … Read more
French Navy Cruiser (1953) rebuilt as missile cruiser, active until 1991. The last French cruiser With the start of the cold war France still possessed a number of cruisers and a modernized battleship (Jean Bart), which provided cover for its aircraft carriers. In 1946 was launched her last prewar unfinished cruiser, the De Grasse completely … Read more
French Navy (1946-1976) De Grasse was the first French post-WW2 cruiser completed, with Colbert. Both their stories went back to the interwar, De grasse being the lead ship of a class of three light cruisers designed to replace the old 1922 Duguay Trouin class. Caught by the war, she was captured by the Germans that … Read more
French Navy AA destroyers (Built 1951-57, service until 1974-88): Surcouf, Kersaint, Cassard, Bouvet, Dupetit-Thouars, Chevalier Paul, Maillé-Brézé, Vauquelin, D’Estrées, Du Chayla, Casabianca, Guépratte D621-630 The first French postwar destroyers: 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 … Read more
