D'Entrecasteaux-class patrol ship#Ships
{{Short description|French Navy ship type}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=File:Champlain (A623 (2).jpg |Ship caption=Champlain in Concarneau before her launch, in September 2016 }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name=Bâtiment multi-mission |Builders=Kership (DCNS-Piriou joint venture), Concarneau |Operators={{navy|France|name=Marine Nationale}} |Class before={{sclass2|BATRAL|landing ship|1}} |Class after= |Subclasses= |Cost= |Built range= |In service range= |In commission range= |Total ships building= |Total ships planned=4 |Total ships completed= |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active=4 |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Ship type=Offshore patrol vessel[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/actualite/la-dga-commande-3-batiments-multi-missions-b2m La DGA commande 3 bâtiments multi-missions (B2M)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125418/http://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/actualite/la-dga-commande-3-batiments-multi-missions-b2m |date=24 September 2015 }}, Ministry of Defence[http://www.opex360.com/2011/10/10/de-nouveaux-batiments-pour-la-marine-nationale/ De nouveaux bâtiments pour la Marine nationale] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526172850/http://www.opex360.com/2011/10/10/de-nouveaux-batiments-pour-la-marine-nationale/ |date=26 May 2015 }}, opex360 |Ship displacement=*1,500 tonnes (empty) |Ship length={{convert|65|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|14|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship draught={{convert|4.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship power= |Ship propulsion= |Ship speed={{convert|15|kn|lk=in}} |Ship range= |Ship boats= |Ship capacity= |Ship sensors= |Ship EW= |Ship armament= 2 x 7.62 mm guns |Ship aircraft= |Ship aircraft facilities= }} |
The D'Entrecasteaux class is a class of oceanic patrol ships of the French Navy. The ship's designation is Bâtiment multi-mission (B2M) in French, meaning "multi-mission ship", and sometimes dubbed the "Swiss Army knife of the Navy".[http://www.la1ere.fr/2015/05/22/un-b2m-flambant-neuf-couteau-suisse-de-la-marine-nationale-pour-la-zone-ocean-indien-258197.html Un B2M flambant neuf, "couteau suisse de la marine nationale", pour la zone océan Indien] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526094228/http://www.la1ere.fr/2015/05/22/un-b2m-flambant-neuf-couteau-suisse-de-la-marine-nationale-pour-la-zone-ocean-indien-258197.html |date=26 May 2015 }}, Léia Santacroce, la1ere.fr The ship is designed to perform sovereignty, law enforcement and logistics missions (such as policing illegal fishing, offshore traffic and resource mining, assisting distressed ships, search and rescue, and contributing to the logistics of Overseas collectivities and departments.[http://www.outre-mer.gouv.fr/?cp-gpl-un-nouveau-batiment-multi-missions-dans-la-zone-ocean-indien.html CP - GPL >Un nouveau bâtiment multi-missions dans la zone océan Indien (La Réunion, Mayotte, TAAF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526110328/http://www.outre-mer.gouv.fr/?cp-gpl-un-nouveau-batiment-multi-missions-dans-la-zone-ocean-indien.html |date=26 May 2015 }}, Ministère des Outre-Mers (Overseas Ministry)). The class replaced the aging {{sclass2|BATRAL|landing ship|1}}s in some of these roles.[http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/trois-supply-pour-remplacer-les-batral-de-la-marine-nationale Trois supply pour remplacer les Batral de la Marine nationale] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526092947/http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/trois-supply-pour-remplacer-les-batral-de-la-marine-nationale |date=26 May 2015 }}, meretmarine.com The D'Entrecasteaux-class perform similar roles in French overseas territories that the four Loire-class ships perform in Metropolitan France.{{cite web | url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2022/october/12409-french-navy-sends-bsam-garonne-to-protect-a-norwegian-oil-field.html | title=French Navy sends BSAM Garonne to protect a Norwegian Oil Field }}{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/11/french-navy-loire-class-ships-now-certified-for-nato-submarine-rescue-system/#:~:text=Loire%2Dclass%20vessels%20can%20conduct,deploy%20a%20pollution%20control%20dam. | title=French Navy Loire-class Ships Now Certified for NATO Submarine Rescue System | date=15 November 2021 }}
Three units were initially planned, but a fourth one was ordered in early 2015, to cover the Mozambique Channel. The French Navy's first Bâtiment multi-mission (B2M) ship, d'Entrecasteaux, was delivered at the end of March 2016. The B2M vessels can be armed with two 12.7x99 mm (.50 cal.) machine guns.{{cite web |url= http://www.janes.com/article/59113/france-receives-first-b2m-class-vessel |title= France receives first B2M-class vessel |access-date= 30 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160402080609/http://www.janes.com/article/59113/france-receives-first-b2m-class-vessel |archive-date= 2 April 2016 |url-status= live }}
History
= Missions and background =
France holds the largest exclusive economic zones (EEZ), totalling one million km2 in the Indian Ocean and 1.7 million km2 in the Southern Ocean.[http://www.lemarin.fr/secteurs-activites/defense/21955-un-quatrieme-b2m-pour-la-marine-nationale "Un quatrième B2M pour la Marine nationale"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525033719/http://www.lemarin.fr/secteurs-activites/defense/21955-un-quatrieme-b2m-pour-la-marine-nationale |date=25 May 2015 }}, Le Marin, May 21, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2015. To enforce law in these areas, the French Navy has deployed a number of ships suitable for low-intensity engagements and with flexible capabilities: {{sclass2|BATRAL|landing ship|1}}s, {{sclass2|P400|patrol vessel|1}}s and {{sclass|D'Estienne d'Orves|aviso|1}}s, all Cold War designs, have been deployed in this role, and stop-gap measures such as {{ship|French ship|Albatros|1984|2}} were taken. More recently, the French Navy has procured classes of ship specifically designed for law enforcement and public service in the EEZ, such as the {{sclass|Floréal|frigate|1}}s.{{Cite web |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/florealclassfrigate/ |title=Floréal Class Frigate, France |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316195313/http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/florealclassfrigate/ |archive-date=16 March 2015 |url-status=live }}
In the 2010s, the aging BATRAL, {{ship|French ship|Jacques Cartier|L9033|2}}, based in Nouméa, was decommissioned in April 2013 and the decommissioning of Albatros in May 2015 led to the need to procure replacements for the naval stations of Port des Galets (La Réunion), Nouméa (New Caledonia), Dégrad des Cannes (Martinique) and Papeete (French Polynesia).{{Cite web |url=http://nouvellecaledonie.la1ere.fr/2014/01/29/un-b2m-pour-remplacer-le-jacques-cartier-106511.html |title=Un B2M pour remplacer le Jacques Cartier |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526130935/http://nouvellecaledonie.la1ere.fr/2014/01/29/un-b2m-pour-remplacer-le-jacques-cartier-106511.html |archive-date=26 May 2015 |url-status=live }} In March 2006, the Service des Programmes Navals (SPN, "Naval Programme Service") started to study a replacement for the five BATRALs and for Albatros.[http://lefauteuildecolbert.over-blog.fr/article-marine-garde-cotiere-du-bis-au-bmm-86086319.html Marine Garde-côtière : du BIS au BMM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526130729/http://lefauteuildecolbert.over-blog.fr/article-marine-garde-cotiere-du-bis-au-bmm-86086319.html |date=26 May 2015 }}, le Fauteuil de Colbert
The ships initially envisioned would have been typed Bâtiments d'intervention et de souveraineté (BIS, "Intervention and Sovereignty Ships"); although they were to dispense with the amphibious capabilities of the BATRAL, they were to accommodate a company-sized force (120 men and 20 vehicles, including armoured vehicles).
Four projects were evaluated, including the "MultiPurpose Projection Vessel" by CNIM, the "Echoship" by DCNS, the M.OPV by Piriou, and the UT 527 by Rolls-Royce Marine.
In October 2013,{{Cite web |url=http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/20131108trib000794874/defense-dcns-et-piriou-remportent-le-contrat-des-batiments-multimissions-de-la-marine-nationale.html |title=Défense : DCNS et Piriou remportent le contrat des bâtiments multimissions de la Marine nationale |date=9 November 2013 |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526114739/http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/20131108trib000794874/defense-dcns-et-piriou-remportent-le-contrat-des-batiments-multimissions-de-la-marine-nationale.html |archive-date=26 May 2015 |url-status=live }} a modified version of the M.OPV was co-contracted to Piriou and DCNS; a joint venture, Kership, was founded for the project.{{Cite web |url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2014-news/january-2014-navy-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-security-global-news/1475-piriou-and-dcns-win-the-b2m-contract-for-the-french-navy.html |title=PIRIOU and DCNS together win the B2M contract for the supply and maintenance of three French Navy ships based overseas |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526112516/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2014-news/january-2014-navy-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-security-global-news/1475-piriou-and-dcns-win-the-b2m-contract-for-the-french-navy.html |archive-date=26 May 2015 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.piriou.com/fr/l-actualite/piriou-et-dcns-remportent-le-contrat-b2m/1722.htm |title=PIRIOU et DCNS remportent ensemble le contrat B2M pour la fourniture et la maintenance de 3 navires basés outre-mer. |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526110842/http://www.piriou.com/fr/l-actualite/piriou-et-dcns-remportent-le-contrat-b2m/1722.htm |archive-date=26 May 2015 |url-status=live }}
Expenses of the contract, amounting to 100 million euro, were initially to be covered not only by the Ministry of Defence, but also by other branches of the government: 20% of the funds to acquire the ships and 50% of the maintenance would have been provided by other ministries. However, from July 2013, it was decided that the Ministry of Defence had to shoulder the burden alone.
= Design =
The design selected for the Bâtiment multi-mission eschews the amphibious capabilities of the previous BATRAL and the L-CAT design proposed by CNIM, similar to the Engin de débarquement amphibie rapide, for a concept of platform supply vessel, or anchor handling tug supply vessel. In line with most ship designs tasked for coastguard duty in the French Navy, the B2M will be built according to civilian standards; this was already the case notably for the Floréal class.[http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/14/cr-cdef/14-15/c1415009.asp Compte rendu n° 9] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526171909/http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/14/cr-cdef/14-15/c1415009.asp |date=26 May 2015 }}, Commission de la défense nationale et des forces armées, Mercredi 8 octobre 2014, Séance de 17 heures The hulls are built in Poland, Piriou being tasked with the design of the ship proper and the finish in Concarneau, while DCNS work on the military aspects of the project.[http://www.piriou.fr/articles/fichiers/Communique_de_presse/Communiqu___de_presse_PIRIOU_._DCNS___Contrat_B2M___9_janvier_2014.pdf PIRIOU et DCNS remportent ensemble le contrat B2M pour la fourniture et la maintenance de 3 navires basés outre-Mer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526171748/http://www.piriou.fr/articles/fichiers/Communique_de_presse/Communiqu___de_presse_PIRIOU_._DCNS___Contrat_B2M___9_janvier_2014.pdf |date=26 May 2015 }}, Concarneau et Paris, le 9 janvier 2014
The ships were to displace over 1,000 tonnes, have a length between {{convert|60|and|80|m|ft}}, and machinery capable of {{convert|8000|to|12000|hp|lk=in|0}}.
File:D Entrecasteaux-IMG 9430.JPG|Bulbous bow and bow thruster
File:D Entrecasteaux-MG 9715.JPG|Rudder and propellers
Features and capabilities
The B2M are designed for a range of low-intensity, high-endurance missions in the French EEZ, from bases in the Overseas collectivities. As such, they feature a relatively low maximum speed of {{convert|12|to|15|kn|kph|0|lk=in}}, but are able to operate for 30 days without resupply, and are designed for a high availability of 200 days at sea per year. One of their main task is maritime law enforcement, particularly in the domain of commercial fishing and against illegal immigration, Drug trafficking and piracy.
The B2M provide a limited capability of power projection, as they can ferry a 20-man force, along with equipment and two vehicles; as the missions of the B2M are joint between the various ministries responsible for the maritime actions of the State, these forces can belong to any arm of the French Military, to the Gendarmerie or the Police. They carry an {{convert|8|m|ft|adj=on|0}} boat and several rigid-hulled inflatable boats, and can deploy frogmen as well as remotely operated underwater vehicles. The ship can also accommodate a medical team to be deployed during humanitarian emergencies.
To assist ships of distress, the B2M can develop a 30-tonne bollard pull and have extensive anti-fire capabilities. They furthermore feature a crane capable of lifting 12 tonnes with a {{convert|14|m|ft|adj=on|0}} reach, or 10 tonnes at {{convert|17|m|ft|0}}. This allows autonomous loading and unloading of standard containers, a useful capability for humanitarian operations in disaster areas.
Operational service
D'Entrecasteaux was severely damaged by fire in July 2021. The loss of the ship for an undetermined period temporarily left the French Navy with no operational vessel in the waters around New Caledonia due to the simultaneous incapacitation of the surveillance frigate {{ship|French frigate|Vendémiaire||2}} and the patrol vessel {{ship|French ship|La Glorieuse||2}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/la-marine-nationale-na-plus-aucun-batiment-disponible-en-nouvelle-caledonie |title=La Marine nationale n'a plus aucun bâtiment disponible en Nouvelle-Calédonie |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=16 July 2021 |access-date=16 July 2021 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716021719/https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/la-marine-nationale-na-plus-aucun-batiment-disponible-en-nouvelle-caledonie |archive-date=16 July 2021 }} To address the gap, her sister ship Bougainville was temporarily redeployed from Tahiti to New Caledonia.{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/le-bsaom-bougainville-repositionne-temporairement-noumea |title=Le BSAOM Bougainville repositionné temporairement à Nouméa |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=25 November 2021 |access-date=26 November 2021 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125152158/https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/le-bsaom-bougainville-repositionne-temporairement-noumea |archive-date=25 November 2021 }} By early 2022, La Glorieuse was again active{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/deux-patrouilleurs-francais-de-noumea-et-papeete-portent-assistance-aux-tonga |title=Deux patrouilleurs français de Nouméa et Papeete portent assistance aux Tonga |work=Mer et Marine |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |language=fr |date=26 January 2022 |access-date=26 January 2022 |url-access=subscription}} while D'Entrecasteaux was repaired and declared operational once again in May 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/noumea-le-d-entrecasteaux-a-repris-la-mer-10-mois-apres-l-incendie-de-sa-passerelle |title=Nouméa : le D'Entrecasteaux a repris la mer 10 mois après l'incendie de sa passerelle |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=7 June 2022 |access-date=7 June 2022 |url-access=subscription}}
Between January and March 2024, Champlain conducted a two month patrol in the Scattered Islands of the southern Indian Ocean. During the patrol she seized {{cvt|1,600|kg}} of methamphetamine from a drug smuggling vessel.{{cite web |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/actualites/saisie-record-champlain |title=Saisie record pour le Champlain |work=Marine Nationale |language=fr |date=23 February 2024 |access-date=28 June 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/actualites/clap-fin-champlain |title=Clap de fin pour le Champlain |work=Marine Nationale |language=fr |date=2 April 2024 |access-date=28 June 2024}}
Ships
Notes and references
{{Commons category|D'Entrecasteaux class patrol ships}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{French Navy Vehicle}}