French Navy

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) is the naval arm of the French military and is the second-largest Western European navy (the largest being the United Kingdom's Royal Navy). It operates a full range of vessels, from patrol boats to guided missile frigates, one nuclear aircraft carrier and four strategic missile submarines (SNLEs).

History

The French navy is affectionately known as La Royale (the "Royal"), for its supposed attachement to the monarchy; it is to be noted that some of the greatest heroes of the First Republic were in the French Navy (Luc-Julien-Joseph Casabianca, Robert Surcouf, Latouche-Tréville).

Related Topics:
Luc-Julien-Joseph Casabianca - Robert Surcouf - Latouche-Tréville

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The motto of the French navy is "Honneur, Patrie, Valeur, Discipline" ("Honour, Homeland, Valour, Discipline").

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Present developments

The French Navy is undertaking a significant reinforcement, both in modernising and in number, under the Projet de loi de programmation militaire 2003-2008 ("Military programme law project 2003-2008")http://www.defense.gouv.fr/sites/defense/enjeux_defense/politique_de_defense/programmation_2003-2008/projet_de_loi_de_programmation_militaire_2003-2008/

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, which notably calls for

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• A second aircraft carrier - conventionally propelled (the current Charles De Gaulle is nuclear), and built to a similar design as the British CVF ships.
• 4 Horizon units; two are now under construction, the third one should be ordered in 2007
• 17 FREMM multipurpose frigates - 8 should be ordered between 2003 and 2008, the first commissioning being expected for 2008
• 6 nuclear attack submarines of the Barracuda class - 2 should be ordered between 2003 and 2008, the first commissioning being expected for 2012

The equipment will also be modernised, notably

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• New models of the successful Exocet missile
• MBDA Aster and Sylver systems for anti-missile/anti-air defence
• Cruise missiles (the naval or submarine SCALP EG)