OCCAR: order of a new fleet of logistic support ships for the French Navy
30 January 2019 – On behalf of the French Defence procurement agency “Direction Générale de l’Armement” (DGA), OCCAR placed on January 30th a new Logistic Support Ship (LSS) contract for 1.7 b€ (VAT incl.). In accordance with the French Defence planning law 2019-2025, this contract will enable the French Navy to progressively phase out the current logistic fleet and commission 4 brand new vessels, the first two of which shall be delivered by 2025.
The LSSs will be modern and highly effective double-hulled ships, which will comply with existing international regulations. Their delivery will allow the decommissioning of the current single-hulled fleet that entered active service in the 1970s and 80s. The 4 new LSSs will provide long-term support for any blue-sea combat fleet (aircraft-carrier, LHDs, destroyers) in all aspects: fuel, ammunitions, spare parts and food.
The LSSs ordered for the French Navy will be based on the design of the LSS Vulcano ordered for the Italian Navy, in the frame of an OCCAR-managed cooperation between Italy and France. This new 4-ship contract has been awarded to Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group. In order to promote industrial efficiencies, Fincantieri, designer of the LSS Vulcano, will provide technical assistance as well as erect some parts of the hull.
OCCAR already manages several joint programmes between Italy and France: either through bilateral cooperations (FREMM destroyers, FSAF-PAAMS anti-missile system), or via multilateral cooperations with other countries (MALE-RPAS medium-altitude long-endurance drones, ESSOR software-based radios).
This contract for 4 LSSs follows the signature on October 23rd 2018, by the Italian Defence National Secretary General Nicolo Falsaperna and the French Délégué général pour l’armement Joël Barre, of the LSS Arrangement, with attendance of both Ministers of Defence, Mrs Elisabetta Trenta and Florence Parly.
Photo courtesy Chantiers de l’Atlantique
