Mistral class amphibious assault ship

Two ships of the class are in service in the French Navy : the "Mistral" and the "Tonnerre".

History

French doctrine of amphibious operations in 1997

In 1997, the DCN started a study for a polyvalent intervention ship ("bâtiment d’intervention polyvalent", BIP). At the same time, the French doctrine of amphibious operations was evolving and being defined as the CNOA ("Concept national des opérations amphibies", "National design for amphibious operations"). The BIP was to renew and increase the amphibious capabilities of the French Navy, then limited to the "Foudre" and the "Ouragan" type ships.

The CNOA meant to assert capabilities to perform amphibious assaults, amphibious withdrawals, amphibious demonstrations and amphibious raids. These operation were to put the French forces in the doctrinal framework of the Allies and ensure interoperability, as stated in the European Amphibious Initiative of 5 December 2000 and in NATO's "Allied Tactical Publication" n° 8B (ATP8). While it put a priority on air capabilities, the CNOA stressed the necessity to increase the size of vehicle and personnel accommodations, eventually aiming at projecting a joint group of four combat companies, comprising a total of 1 400 men, 280 vehicles and 30 helicopters, autonomous for 10 days, able to operate 100 km from the coast in hostile territory, anywhere in the world. [" [http://www.cedoc.defense.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/BEM_No33.pdf Bulletin d’études de la Marine] "no 33 (March 2006) ]

In France, the large amphibious units, the Troupes de Marine, are in the chain of command of the Army. They are ["Terre information magazine" ISSN|0995-6999, no 184 (May 2007)] . the
* 9th Light Armoured Marine Brigade (9e BLBMa)
* 6th Armoured Brigade (6e BLB)
* 4th Airmobile Brigade (4e BAM)
* 519th supply regiment (519e RT)

Evolution of the design

Studies for a Polyvalent Intervention Ship ("Bâtiment d’intervention polyvalent", BIP) began as restructuration and fusions in the European defence industry were undertaken with the aim to build a "naval Airbus". Because of political matters (notably employment and repartition of the contracts), integration of defence industries of the 10 European countries with military naval expertise proved impossible.

The BIP, successor of the aborted nuclear helicopter cruisers PH-75, was to offer a modular design. The concept later gave birth to the "BPC Family". In 1997, three variants were proposed over a common basis called "Nouveau transport de chalands de débarquement" (NTCD).

The NTCD is meant to replace the ageing TCD of the "Ouragan" type. Project BIP-19 envisioned a 19 000-tonne ship, 190-metre long, flush-decked, with a 26.5-metre beam and a 6.5-metre draught. Such dimensions far exceeded the NCTD concept.

The lighter BIP-13, BIP-10 and BIP-8 would have displace 13 000, 10 000 and 8 000 tonnes respectively, with length ranging from 151 metres to 125 and 102 metres, with a common 23-metre beam. BIP-8 would have had roughly the features of the Italian "San Giorgio" but with a helicopter hangar that the "San Giorgio" lacks. The "San Giorgio" type ships were, at the time, the only amphibious assault ships in Europe with a flush deck.

At the design stage, the NTCD concept featured aircraft lifts on the left side (like the "Tarawa" class), another on the right side, and two more on the centre of the deck and in front of the tower. Some drawings attributed to DCN [ [http://frenchnavy.free.fr/ships/lhd/ntcd_fr.htm TCD classe NTCD] ] showed carrier-like features such as a ski-jump for STOBAR aircraft (allowing operation of the AV-8B Harrier II and the F-35 Lightning II-B), 4 to 5 helicopter spots including one strengthened to accommodate V-22 Osprey or CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft, and a well deck capable of accommodating a "Sabre" type landing craft, or 2 LCAC hovercrafts. The French Senate, however, rules that STOBAR aircraft was out of the scope of the CNOA [ [http://www.senat.fr/rap/a01-090-8/a01-090-80.html Avis du Sénat français no 90 du 22 novembre 2001] ] .

Later artist painting [ [http://www.helicopassion.com/fr/03/nvr04.htm Navy painter André Lambert] ] show the main lift at the aft, first on the right and later at the centre, and an auxiliary lift aft of the bridge. These configurations were retained by the Navy.

The NTCD was renamed into "Porte-hélicoptères d’intervention" (PHI, for "intervention helicopter carrier") in December 2001, before being eventually named "Bâtiment de projection et de commandement" (BPC) [ [http://www.netmarine.net/bat/tcd/mistral/histoire01.htm Histoire du BPC Mistral (2000 - 2006)] ] to emphasise the amphibious and command aspects of the concept.

Industrial partnership

Confirmation of the project was stated as Euronaval 1998, but construction of the ships was authorised only on 8 December 2000, one year late. The "Mistral" (L9013) and "Tonnerre" (L9014) were to be built along the lines of the latest BIP-19 plans.

The contract for the construction was published on 22 December. After a favourable appreciation was given on 13 July by the public purchase authority ("Union des groupements d’achats publics", UGAP), the contract was awarded , and awarded to DCN (head of construction) and Chantiers de l'Atlantique on 30 July. DCN would execute 55% of the work time and 60% of the value of the construction. 3% of the construction value was outsourced by DCN to Stocznia Remontowa de Gdańsk

The ships would be built in two parts, rear and forwards, which would be assembled upon completion. DCN had the responsibility for the engineering in Lorient, for the design of the combat systems in Toulon, and eventually for the construction of the rear part of the ship, including the bridge, and assembly with the forwards part in Brest. The forwards part would be built in Saint-Nazaire by Chantiers de l'Atlantique. Thales would be in charge of radards and communication systems.

Delivery time was 34 months, for a total budget of 685 million Euros for the two units, including the design. For comparison, the two units of the "Foudre" type had cost the same price, but were delivered after 46.5 month, and displaced half the tonnage of the "Mistral". The budget is also the same than for one single unit like HMS "Ocean" or USS "San Antonio" [ [http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htamph/articles/20070529.aspx Marines : Mistral Shows Up LPD 17] , in "Strategy Page" (29 May 2007)] .

Design

A 35-40 people engineering design team was set up at Saint-Nazaire on 3 September 2001. On 27, a meeting between officials of the DGA and DCN set the beginning of the studies. In parallel, the general concept was being refined by DGA, DCN, the general staff and Chantiers de l'Atlantique.

The design was validated by wind tunnel simulations with a 1/120th scale model. The "Mistral" is a shorter ship, with high and elongated superstructures, which tend to generate turbulences when there is a strong crosswind. The design was altered to minimise these effects and provide better conditions for landing and take-off [Cécile Michaut, [http://www.onera.fr/coupdezoom/32-aerologie-navale-soufflerie-lille.php Courants d’air sur l’eau - aérologie navale en soufflerie] , in "Bulletin intérieur d’information" ISSN|1150-8515] .

Construction

In Brest, DCN laid down the keel of the rear element of "Mistral" on 9 July 2002, and that of "Tonnerre" on 13 December. In Saint-Nazaire, Chantiers de l'Atlantique laid the keel of the forwards part of "Mistral" on 28 January 2003, and of "Tonnerre" later. The first block of the rear of "Tonnerre" was put in a dry dock on 26 August 2003, and that of "Mistral" on 23 October 2003.

New engineering methods were introduced in French naval construction, as building proceeded in parallel in the same dock. A lift allowed quick access to the ships for the workers.

The forwads part of "Mistral" left Saint-Nazaire on 16 July 2004 and was towed to Brest, were it arrived on 19 July 2004. On 30 July, assembly of the ship began in dock no 9 with a method akin to jumboisation started. "Tonnerre"'s forwards part arrived in Brest on 2 May 2005 and underwent the same procedure.

"Mistral" was launched on schedule on 6 October 2004, and "Tonnerre" on 26 July 2005. Delivery of the ships were scheduled for late 2005 and early 2006, but had to be postponed for one to one and a half year, because of problems with the SENIT 9 system and deterioration to the linoleum floors of the forwards sections.

Features

The "Mistral" and "Tonnerre" are, in tonnage, the largest ships of the Navy after the "Charles de Gaulle", for roughly the same height above water. The displace 21 300 tonnes fully loaded.

Air capabilities

The deck of the "Mistral" is 6400 m², featuring six helicopter spots. One of them is reinforced to accommodate 33-tonne aircraft.

16 helicopters can be stored in the 1800m² hangar of the lower deck. It featured a maintenance area with an overhead crane. Refueling can be done simultaneously on four helicopters, either on the flying deck or in the hangar.

The "Mistral" have two Mac Gregor lifts capable of lifting 13 tonnes The main lift is 225² large, allowing to move helicopters to the flying deck with their rotor in flight configuration, as to shorten the delay before take off. The auxiliary lift, 120 m² large, is located near a 17-tonne strong crane.

Capitaine de vaisseau Gilles Humeau, commanding officer of "Mistral", declared that cquote
the size of the flying deck would allow the operation of 30 aircraft if all 6 spots are usedVéronique Sartini, "Entretien avec le capitaine de vaisseau Gilles Humeau", in "Défense & Sécurité Internationale" (ISSN 1772-788X), no 19 (October 2006) ] .

Landing is aided by a DRBN-38A Decca Bridgemaster E250 landing radar and an Optical Landing System.

Amphibious capabilities

The BPC of the "Mistral" type can accommodate 450 soldiers. The 2650 m² large vehicle hangar can accommodate up to 59 armoured vehicles, or a 13-tank strong Nexter AMX-56 Leclerc squadron. By comparison, the 1000 m² hangar of the "Foudre" is able to store 100 vehicles, including 22 Nexter AMX-30 tanks.

The 885 m² well deck can accommodate 4 landing crafts, against 10 landing crafts in 1732 m² for the "Foudre".

The BPC has the capability to operate two LCAC hoovercrafts, which the "Foudre" type lacks. The LCAC are used by the US Marine Corps and the Royal Navy; the French Navy does not have any at the time and does not seem to contemplate purchasing any, but the capability adds to the interoperability qualities of the ship. LCAC allow landing on 70% of the coasts of the world, against 30% for conventional landing crafts which are limited to sand beaches or swamps. The DGA contemplates modernisation of the landing craft fleet with 59-tonne landing crafts (EDA, "Engins de débarquement amphibies")

Command capabilities

The TCD of the "Foudre" type already featured limited accommodations for a joint general staff of 50 to 100 people. The BPC of the "Mistral" type feature a 850m² command centre with up to 150 office spaces.

Information from the ship's sensors is centralised in the SENIT system ("Système d’Exploitation Navale des Informations Tactiques", "System for Naval Usage of Tactical Information") [ [http://www.netmarine.net/armes/senit/index.htm Présentation du SENIT] on Net Marine ] , a derivative of the USAyan Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS). Delays in revision 9 of the SENIT system caused a one-year delay in commissioning of the "Mistral" units. SENIT 9 comprises Thales' tri-dimensional MRR3D-NG Multi Role Radar, which operations on C bands and featured IFF capabilities. SENIT 9 also can interconnect several information spots through Link 11, Link 16 and Link 22.

Telecommunications

The BPC use the SYRACUSE satellite system, based on French satellites SYRACUSE 3-A and SYRACUSE 3-B which provide 45% of the Super High Frequency secured communications of NATO. From 18 to 24 June 2007, a secure video conference was held twice a day between "Tonnerre", then sailing from Brazil to South Africa, and VIP visitors of the Paris Air Show [ [http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/base/breves/03_07_07_des_nouvelles_du_tonnerre Brève du ministère de la Défense français du 3 juillet 2007] ] .

Armament

BPCs are, as of 2008, underequiped for their self-defence. The 2006 Lebanon War exposed the vulnerability of modern navies to asymetric threats, when INS "Hanit" was nearly destroyed by a C-701 anti-ship missile fired by Hezbollah.

According to contre-amiral Xavier Magne,

With asymetric threats of improvised missiles or suicide attacks, a BPC cannot be deployed in a hostile zone without escorts. However, there is a five-year gap between decommissioning of the aging "Suffren" type frigates of the 1960s and the commissioning of the "Horizon" and FREMM frigates. This makes it currently difficult for the French Navy alone to operate against hostile coasts.

For budget reasons, the 4 30mm OTO Breda-Mauser have not yet been installed.

As of 2008, the BPCs rely on two manual SIMBAD systems, installed port aft and bow starboard. The Navy might upgrade to automatic quadruple TETRAL systems in the future [ [http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=105173 meretmarine.com] ] , as to avoid upgrading to more expensive configurations, like the navalised MBDA MICA in octuple vertical mounting which was considered initially.

Hospital

The BPCs carry a NATO Role 3 medical facility [Definition of the roles: [http://www.nato.int/docu/logi-en/1997/lo-1610.htm NATO Logistics Handbook] ] , comparable to that of a 25 000 inhabitant French city. Any pathology can be treated aboard, including complex issues like neurosurgery, though the use of a SYRACUSE-based telemedicine system.

The hospital provides 20 rooms. There are two surgery blocks with 7 intensive care beds, and a radiology room fitted with a scanner. Capacity is 69 beds, including 50 for intensive care, but it can be extended to 120 beds by installing a mobile medical facility in the helicopter hangar.

Propulsion

The "Mistral" and "Tonnerre" are the first ships of the French Navy to use azimuth thrusters. The thrusters are fed by electricity produced by 5 diesel engines, and can be oriented in any angle. This both gives the BPC a much increased manoeuvrability, and frees the space that would be used by the propeller shafts.

Long-term reliability of these systems in military use has yet to be tested, but has already been used on the Dutch "Rotterdam" class, the Spanish "Galicia" class and the "Albion" class.

Contractually, the BPCs are to be available 210 days a year, and up to 350 days a year if needed.

Habitat

Space gained by the use of azimuth thrusters allowed to build living quarters where no wiring or piping is visible, in the forwards part of the ship. The level of comfort is comparable to that of the cruise ships built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique.

The 15 officers all have an individual cabin, and senior non-commissioned officers have two-man cabins. Onboard troops live in 4 or 6-person cabins, but conditions are better than in most barracks of the Foreign Legion. When he visited the ship in May 2007, Vice-admiral Mark Fitzgerald is rumoured to have said to the captain that he would have accommodated 500 men in the quarters, 3 times the current complement.

Operational history

The BPCs are certified as members of the naval component of the NATO Response Force, which allows them to take pas in a Combined Joint Task Force. France provided forces to NRF-8 in January 2007, including a Commander Amphibious Task Force and 8 ships. The next contribution took place in January 2008 in NRF-10, after exercices "Noble Midas" which tested link 16 and the SECSAT system which operationally controls submarines. The forces can be set up in a 5 to 30 days notice.

All helicopters used in the French military have been tested landing on a BPC. On 8 February 2005, a Westland Lynx of the Navy and a Cougar landed at the aft of "Mistral" The first landing of a NH90 took place on 9 March 2006. Hhalf of the air group of the BPCs is to be constitued of NH90s, the other half being composed of Tigre assault helicopters. On 19 April 2007, Puma, Écureuil and Panther helicopters landed on "Tonnerre". On 10 may 2007, a CH-53 Sea Stallion of the US Navy landed on her reinforced helicopter spot off Norfolk.

"Mistral" made her maiden journey from 21 march to 31 may 2006, cruising in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. That of "Tonnerre", from 10 April to 24 July 2007. A second journey took place for the "Mistral" in the first half of 2008.

"Mistral" was in Eastern Asia when Cyclone Nargis hit Burma. She loaded humanitarian aid, but was refused entry in the country. The equipment had to be airlifted.

On 9 July 2007, a dozen Gazelle and Cougar helicopters of the French Air Force landed and took of from the deck of "Tonnerre" in the context of the Ivorian Civil War and "Opération Licorne".

Opération Baliste (2006)

The "Mistral" took part in Opération Baliste, a French naval deployment off Lebanon to evacuate 4 753 French citizens during the 2006 Lebanon War. She was in the latest stages of completion when she was put under alert, loading carburant and food, as well as 650 soldiers and 85 vehicles, including 5 AMX-10 RC and about 20 VABs and VBLs. She set sail with 4 Puma and Gazelle helicopters aboard, and received 2 more Cougars off Crete. "Mistral" evacuated 1375 refugees.

Corymbe 92 Mission (2008)

"Tonnerre" took part in the Corymbe 92 mission, a humanitarian mission in the Gulf of Guinea. On 29 January, acting on a tip-off from the European Maritime Analysis Operation Centre – Narcotics, "Tonnerre" intercepted 2.5 tonnes of cocaine on a fishing vessel, 520 km off Monrovia. On 7 Februard, she captured 3.2 tonnes on a cargo ship 300 km off Conakry

Future perspectives

Export

Since 1997, and particularly since the Euronaval 2007, the "Mistral" type has been put forwards for export. The "BPC family" comprises the BPC 140 (of 13 500 tonnes), the BPC 160 (16 700 tonnes) and the BPC 250 (24 542 tonnes, 214.50 metre long). The BPC was the version originally intended for the French Navy, but was turned down for budget issues [Aldo Borgu " [http://www.aspi.org.au/publications/publication_details.aspx?ContentID=55 Capability of First Resort ? Australia’s Future Amphibious Requirement] " in "Strategic Insights" ISSN|1449-3993, no 8 (23 July 2004)] .

According to the DGA, the South African Navy, the Deutsche Marine, the Canadian Forces Maritime Command, the Royal Malaysian Navy, and the Swedish Navy might show an interest in the ships.

In August 2005, the BPC concept was pre-selectionned for the "Canberra" class large amphibious ships for the Royal Australian Navy, with the design competing against the Spanish "Buque de Proyección Estratégica" class amphibious ship. It was announced by the Australian Prime Minister on Wednesday the 20th of June 2006 that the Spanish design had been chosen over the French option.

The Indian Navy has also expressed interest in the design of the "Mistral" type. South Africa, Brazil and Turkey could in time consider purchasing BPCs [Joseph Henrotin, « Les outsiders de la puissance aéronavale : une prospective à 10 ans », in "Défense & Sécurité Internationale" ISSN|1772-788X, no 17 (July 2006)] . The visits paid by "Mistral" and "Tonnerre" to these countries might have an element of commercial display.

Algeria might consider purchasing two units. A "Tonnerre" visited Algiers on 9 June 2008 [ Jean Guisnel, " [http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-monde/premiers-details-sur-la-vente-de-quatre-fremm-a-l-algerie/1648/0/244061 Premiers détails sur la vente de quatre FREMM à l'Algérie] ", in "Le Point" (7 May 2008)] [" [http://www.liberte-algerie.com/edit.php?id=95504&titre=Escale%20du%20b%C3%A2timent%20Tonnerre%20%C3%A0%20Alger Escale du bâtiment Tonnerre à Alger] ", in "La Liberté" (9 June 2008)] [ [http://www.ambafrance-dz.org/article.php3?id_article=2056 Communiqué de presse de l'ambassade de France en Algérie] ] .

Further French BPCs

Replacement for the helicopter cruiser "Jeanne d'Arc", due to be decommissioned in 2010, is being considered, with a possible third BPC for a cost of 150 to 200 million Euros (a third of the price of a new frigate). It is also possible that decommissioning of "Jeanne d'Arc" be postponed for two or three years.

The "Livre Blanc sur la Défense et la Sécurité nationale 2008", a policy-defining document for matters of defence, forcasts 4 BPCs in 2020. [ [http://www.defense.gouv.fr/content/download/120277/1053259/version/1/file/LB_tome1_partie2%5B1%5D.pdf Livre blanc sur la Défense et la Sécurité nationale] , Tome 1, Partie 2, p. 213] .

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/mistral.htm globalsecurity.org]
* [http://www.dcn.fr/us/offre/batiments_surface/mistral.html DCN.fr]
* [http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=102331 Meretmarine.com]

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