Durance-class tanker
{{Short description|Class of French Navy replenishment oiler}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
}} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = French replenishment oiler Meuse (A607) in the Arabian Sea in March 2015.JPG | Ship caption = Meuse in the Arabian Sea, 2 March 2015 }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Durance class | Builders = | Operators = * {{Navy|FRA}}
| Class before = | Class after = Jacques Chevallier class | Subclasses = {{sclass|Boraida|replenishment oiler|4}} | Cost = | Built range = 1973–1990 | In service range = | In commission range = | Total ships completed = 8 | Total ships active = 4 | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = 4 | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Header caption = of French ships | Ship type = Replenishment oiler | Ship displacement = * {{convert|7600 |
7800|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on|lk=on}} standard
|
| 18500|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} (full load)
| Ship length = {{convert|157.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|21.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship draught = * {{convert|8.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}} standard
| Ship propulsion = * 2 × SEMT Pielstick 16 PC2.5 V 400 diesel engines
| Ship speed = {{convert|19|kn|lk=in}} | Ship range = {{convert|9000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn}} | Ship endurance = | Ship boats = | Ship capacity = | Ship complement = 162 | Ship time to activate = | Ship sensors = 2 × DRBN 34 radars | Ship EW = | Ship armament = *1 × Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60
| Ship aircraft facilities = Medium helicopter pad | Ship aircraft = | Ship notes = }} |
The Durance class is a series of multi-product replenishment oilers, originally designed and built for service in the French Navy. Besides the five ships built for the French Navy, a sixth was built for the Royal Australian Navy, while the lead ship of the class currently serves with the Argentine Navy. Two ships of a similar but smaller design are in service with the Royal Saudi Navy as the {{sclass|Boraida|replenishment oiler|1}}s.
In French Navy service the ships were used with the Force d'action navale (FAN, "Naval Action Force"). The last three French ships were built to a modified design with increased space for command operations. The three ships are used as flagships for French naval forces in the Indian Ocean. In 2009, Somme repelled an attack by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The lead ship of the class (Durance) was transferred from France to Argentina in 1999/2000. In 2015, the second French ship was removed from service, followed by a third in 2021 and a fourth in 2023. In 2019, the Australian ship (HMAS Success) was also taken out of service.
French Navy
=Design and description=
In French service, the class the first two ships were dubbed Pétrolier Ravitailleur d'Escadre (PRE, "fleet replenishment oiler"), and the final three, Bâtiment de commandement et ravitailleur (BCR, "command and replenishment ship").{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=269}} In addition to their role as a fleet tanker, the three dubbed BCR can accommodate an entire general staff and thus supervise naval operations.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=140}} Meuse, which had a superstructure that was one deck higher than Durance, the lead ship of the class and the final three ships of the class, Var, Marne and Somme all had superstructures that were extended aft by {{convert|8|m|ft|abbr=on}} to accommodate the additional staff requirements. The first two ships carry two cranes abaft the bridge, while the final three only have one positioned along the centreline.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|pp=139–140}}
The five ships are of similar design but different layouts. Durance and Meuse had a standard displacement of {{convert|7600|LT|t|order=flip|lk=on}} and {{convert|17900|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} at full load. Marne, Var and Somme have a standard displacement of {{convert|7800|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} and {{convert|18500|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} at full load. All five ships are {{convert|157.3|m|ftin}} long overall and {{convert|149|m|ftin|abbr=on}} between perpendiculars with a beam of {{convert|21.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and a draught of {{convert|8.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}} empty and {{convert|10.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}} at full load. All five vessels are powered by two SEMT Pielstick 16 PC2.5 V 400 diesel engines turning two LIPS controllable pitch propellers rated at {{convert|20000|hp|lk=on|order=flip}}. The vessels have a maximum speed of {{convert|19|kn|lk=in}} and a range of {{convert|9000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=269}}{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=139}}
Durance was initially equipped with two landing craft for vehicles and personnel.{{cite web |url=http://www.netmarine.net/bat/pr/durance/caracter.htm |title=Pétrolier ravitailleur Durance : Caractéristiques principales |language=fr |trans-title=Durance tanker: Main features |website=netmarine.net |access-date=9 January 2020}} Each ship has two dual solid/liquid underway transfer stations per side and can replenish two ships per side and one astern.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|pp=139–140}} As built, Durance had capacity for {{convert|7500|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of fuel oil, {{convert|1500|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of diesel oil, {{convert|500|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of JP-5 aviation fuel, {{convert|130|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of distilled water, {{convert|170|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of provisions, {{convert|150|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of munitions and {{convert|50|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of spare parts. Meuse had capacity for {{convert|5090|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of fuel oil, {{convert|4014|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of diesel, {{convert|1140|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of JP-5 aviation fuel, {{convert|250|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of distilled water, {{convert|180|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of provisions, {{convert|122|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of munitions and {{convert|45|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of spare parts. The final three ships of the class differed from Meuse by carrying {{convert|3310|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of diesel fuel, {{convert|1140|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of JP-5 aviation fuel, {{convert|170|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of munitions and {{convert|15|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of spare parts.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=139}} These numbers changed with the needs of the fleet.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=269}}
The Durance-class tankers all mount a flight deck over the stern and a hangar. The ships utilised Aérospatiale Alouette III and Westland Lynx helicopters (prior to the retirement of both types) but are capable of operating larger ones from their flight deck. For defence, Durance was armed with twin-mounted Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60{{efn|L60 describes the gun's calibre and denotes the length of the gun. This means that the length of the gun barrel is 60 times the bore diameter.}} anti-aircraft (AA) guns. The other four ships initially mounted one Bofors 40 mm/L60 AA guns and two {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} AA guns in a twin turret.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=139}} They are equipped with two DRBN 34 navigational radars. The armament was later altered for the final four ships by removing the 20 mm guns and adding four {{convert|12.7|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} M2 Browning machine guns and three launchers for Simbad Mistral surface-to-air missiles. Meuse had only one launcher installed. The ships have a complement of 162 and are capable of accommodating 250 personnel.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=269}}
=Ships in class=
File:Emden (F 210), Marne (A 630) and USS Shoup (DDG-86) conduct a replenishment at sea, 2008.jpg
Five ships of the class were built for the French Navy:
Three ships of the class (Marne, Somme, and Var) were fitted out as flagships able to embark an admiral and his staff. The 2013 French White Paper on Defence and National Security planned to replace them with four new double-hulled tankers between 2018 and 2021.{{Cite web | url=http://www.senat.fr/rap/a12-150-8/a12-150-815.html#toc290 | title=Projet de loi de finances pour 2013 : Défense : équipement des forces | language=fr | publisher=Senate of France | date=22 November 2012 | access-date=7 November 2013}} However, Meuse was decommissioned in December 2015,{{cite web |url=https://www.opex360.com/2015/12/21/clap-de-fin-pour-le-petrolier-ravitailleur-meuse/ |title=Clap de fin pour le pétrolier-ravitailleur Meuse |work=zone militaire|language=fr |date=21 December 2015 |access-date=27 February 2023}} under budget cuts announced a year earlier.{{cite web |url=http://www.francetvinfo.fr/france/defense-un-regiment-d-artillerie-dissous-et-l-hopital-du-val-de-grace-transforme-en-pole-de-recherche_720211.html |title=Défense : Le Drian détaille les 7 500 postes supprimés dans l'armée |work=francetvinfo.fr |language=fr |trans-title=Defense: Drian details 7,500 job cuts in the army |date=15 October 2014 |access-date=9 January 2019}} Var followed in 2021 and Marne in 2023. They will be replaced under the FLOTLOG project by four Bâtiment ravitailleur de forces vessels, with the first ship having been delivered in 2023 and the others to follow in 2025 and 2027, as well as a fourth projected after 2030.{{cite web|url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/derniere-navigation-pour-le-bcr-marne-qui-passe-le-flambeau-au-brf-jacques-chevallier |title=Dernière navigation pour le BCR Marne, qui passe le flambeau au BRF Jacques Chevallier |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=13 April 2023|access-date=13 April 2023}}{{cite news | url=https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/petrolier-ravitailleur-la-france-monte-a-bord-du-programme-italien-vulcano-781913.html | title=Pétrolier ravitailleur : la France monte à bord du programme italien Vulcano | first= Michel | last=Cabirol | newspaper=Le Tribune |language=fr |trans-title=Oil tanker: France gets on board the Italian Vulcano program | date=15 June 2018 |access-date=9 January 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/le-brf-jacques-chevallier-sera-livre-en-2023 |title=Marine nationale : le BRF Jacques Chevallier sera livré en 2023 |language=French |trans-title=French Navy: the BRF Jacques Chevallier will be delivered in 2023 |work=Mer et Marine |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=14 April 2021 |access-date=9 June 2021 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414000046/https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/le-brf-jacques-chevallier-sera-livre-en-2023 |archive-date=14 April 2021 }}
=Construction and career=
The first four tankers were constructed by the Arsenal de Brest at Brest, France between 1973 and 1987.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=139}} The fifth and final ship was ordered in March 1984 as part of the 1984–1988 plan and was built by Normed at their yard La Seyne, France.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=269}}{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=140}} The Durance-class ships began entering service in 1976 were assigned to the Force d'action navale (FAR, "Naval Action Force"). Prior to 2010, one of the BCRs (Var, Marne or Somme) had been assigned to Indian Ocean as flagship of the French naval forces in the region.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=269}} In October 2009, Somme repelled an attack by Somali pirates.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8294858.stm | work=BBC News | title=Pirates hit navy ship 'in error' | date=7 October 2009 | access-date=1 May 2010}}
Royal Australian Navy
File:HMAS Success arriving at Pearl Harbor in June 2018.jpg
{{main|HMAS Success (OR 304)}}
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ordered one vessel, HMAS Success, of a modified design in September 1979. A second vessel was planned in 1980, but not optioned. Construction of Success was slow and costs increased.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=17}} The modified Durance-class oiler is {{convert|157.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in length, with a beam of {{convert|21.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, and a draught of {{convert|8.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, with a full load displacement of {{convert|18,221|t|LT|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2012|p=35}} Propulsion machinery consisted of two SEMT-Pielstick 16 PC2.5 V 400 diesel motors, which supplied {{convert|20,800|hp|kW|order=flip|abbr=on}} to the ship's two propeller shafts. Top speed was {{convert|20|kn}}, and the ship had a range of {{convert|8,616|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn}}. Success had a total capacity of 10,200 tonnes of cargo: 8,707 tonnes of diesel fuel, 975 tonnes of aviation fuel, 250 tonnes of munitions (including guided missiles and torpedoes), 116 tonnes of water, 95 tonnes of components and naval stores, and 57 tonnes of food and other consumables.{{sfn|Saunders|Philpott|2015|p=36}} Fuel and liquid stores could be transferred from four points (two on each side), allowing Success to replenish two ships simultaneously, while solid cargo could be moved via vertical replenishment (with a hangar and helipad for a single Sea King, Seahawk, or Squirrel helicopter), or by boat (the RAN LCVP T 7 was carried on a starboard forward davit).{{sfn|Saunders|2012|p=35}} The ship was armed with seven 12.7 mm machine guns, and was fitted for but not with a Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS. The sensor suite includes two Kelvin Hughes Type 100G navigation radars. Ship's company was made up of 25 officers and 212 sailors.{{sfn|Saunders|Philpott|2015|p=36}}
=Ships in class=
| border="1" class="wikitable plainrowheaders collapsible" |
| colspan="7" style="background:#eee;" align="center"| Royal Australian Navy{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=38}} |
|---|
| scope="col" | Pennant no.
! scope="col" | Name ! scope="col" | Builder ! scope="col" | {{nowrap|Laid down}} ! scope="col" | Launched ! scope="col" | Commissioned ! scope="col" | Status |
| scope="row" | OR 304
| {{HMAS|Success|OR 304|6}} | align=center | Cockatoo Docks & Engineering Company, Sydney, Australia | 9 August 1980 | 3 March 1984 | 19 February 1986 | Decommissioned 2019{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-success-ii |title=HMAS Success (II) |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=9 January 2020}} |
Argentine Navy
{{main|ARA Patagonia (B-1)}}
On 12 July 1999, Argentina acquired Durance from the French Navy (originally commissioned into French service in 1976) and renamed the ship ARA Patagonia. The ship underwent a refit and has capacity for {{convert|9000|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}} of fuel oil, 500 t of aviation fuel, 140 t of distilled water, 170 t of provisions, 150 t of munitions and 50 t of spare parts. The ship mounts only two Bofors 40 mm/60 guns and four 12.7 mm machine guns. The ship uses an Alouette III helicopter. The ship entered Argentine Navy service in July 2000.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=20}} The ship was reported non-operational in 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2021/08/03/la-retroceso-operacional-de-la-armada-argentina-en-la-ultimas-decadas/ |title=El retroceso operacional de la Armada Argentina en la últimas décadas |work=Zona-militar.com |last=Bettoli |first=Carlos Borda |language=Spanish |trans-title=The operational setback of the Argentine Navy in recent decades |date=3 August 2021 |access-date=4 August 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803120332/https://www.zona-militar.com/2021/08/03/la-retroceso-operacional-de-la-armada-argentina-en-la-ultimas-decadas/ |archive-date=3 August 2021 }} In October 2022, it was reported that the Argentine defence ministry had allocated funding for a refit of the ship to be carried out at the Puerto Belgrano Naval Arsenal in collaboration with the Tandanor shipyard.{{cite web |url=https://www.defensa.com/argentina/armada-argentina-quiere-recuperar-buque-logistico-ara-patagonia |title=La Armada Argentina quiere recuperar el buque logístico ARA Patagonia |trans-title=The Argentine Navy wants to refit the logistics ship ARA Patagonia |language=es |website=Defensa.com |first=Luis |last=Piñeiro |date=6 October 2022 |access-date=7 October 2022}} The ship was reported to have entered dry dock in early 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.defensa.com/argentina/repararan-buque-logistico-patagonia-armada-argentina |title=Repararan el buque logístico "Patagonia" de la Armada Argentina |language=es |website=Defensa.com |date=1 February 2023 |access-date=1 February 2023}} Work on the ship, involving general maintenance and repair, was reported to have been completed in June 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2023/06/22/la-armada-argentina-finalizo-los-trabajos-de-reparacion-del-buque-logistico-ara-patagonia/ |title=La Armada Argentina finalizó los trabajos de reparación del buque logístico ARA "Patagonia" |language=es |website=zona-militar.com |date=22 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023}}
=Ships in class=
Royal Saudi Navy
{{main|Boraida-class replenishment oiler}}
File:Saudi Arabian replenishment oiler Boraida (902) underway in the Red Sea, in 1991.jpg
In October 1980, Saudi Arabia signed a contract for two replenishment oilers as part of the Sawari I programme. The Boraida class have a full load displacement of {{convert|11200|LT|t|order=flip|abbr=on}}, are {{convert|135|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long, have a beam of {{convert|18.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, and a draught of {{convert|7|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. They use two {{convert|18200|hp}} SEMT Pielstick 14 PC2.5 V 500 diesel engines driving two shafts. They have a top speed of {{convert|20.5|kn}} and a range of {{convert|7000|nmi|abbr=on}} at 15 knots. They have a complement of 140. The ship can carry {{convert|4350|t}} of diesel, {{convert|35|t}} of aviation fuel, {{convert|140|t}} of freshwater, {{convert|100|t}} of ammo, and {{convert|100|t}} of supplies. The ship is armed by four Breda Bofors 40 mm/70 guns in two twin mounts. They have two CSEE Naja optronic fire control directors for the 40 mm guns. They have an aft helicopter deck, and can carry either two Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin or one Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma helicopters. Both ships underwent upgrades in 1996–1998. They serve as training ships and depot and maintenance ships.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=715}}
| border="1" class="wikitable plainrowheaders collapsible" |
| colspan="7" style="background:#eee;" align="center"| Boraida class{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=715}}{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=406}} |
|---|
| scope="col" | Pennant no.
! scope="col" | Name ! scope="col" | Builder ! scope="col" | {{nowrap|Laid down}} ! scope="col" | Launched ! scope="col" | Commissioned ! scope="col" | Status |
| scope="row" | 902
| {{ship|Saudi oiler|Boraida||2}} | rowspan=2 align=center| La Ciotat, Marseille, France | 13 April 1982 | 22 January 1983 | 29 February 1984 | In service |
| scope="row" | 904
| {{ship|Saudi oiler|Yunbou||2}} | 9 October 1983 | 20 October 1984 | 29 August 1985 | In service |
Notes
{{notelist}}
Citations
{{reflist}}
References
{{Commons category|Durance class tanker}}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Couhat |editor-first=Jean Labayle |year=1986 |title=Combat Fleets of the World 1986/87 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=0-85368-860-5 }}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |year=2009 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 |publisher=Jane's Information Group Inc. |edition=112 |location=Alexandria, Virginia |isbn=978-0-7106-2888-6 }}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |publisher=IHS Jane's |title=IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2012–2013 |location=Coulsdon |date=2012 |isbn=9780710630087 |oclc=793688752 }}
- {{cite book |editor-last1=Saunders |editor-first1=Stephen |editor-last2=Philpott |editor-first2=Tom |name-list-style=amp |year=2015 |title=IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2015–2016 |publisher=IHS Jane's |location=Coulsdon |edition=116th Revised |isbn=9780710631435 |oclc=919022075 }}
{{Durance-class tankers}}
{{French Navy Vehicle}}
Category:Auxiliary replenishment ship classes