The Jacques Stosskopf force replenishment vessel began its first sea trials campaign on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from the port of Saint-Nazaire, with a view to delivery to the French Navy in the fall of 2025.
This building is the second in a series of four ordered in 2019 from the temporary consortium of companies (GME) made up of Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group, for a total amount of 1.7 billion euros.
The “Logistics Fleet” (FLOTLOG) program is managed by the French Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) and is the subject of cooperation with Italy through the LSS (Logistic Support Ship) program of the Joint Organization for Armaments Cooperation (OCCAR).
Under the LSS program, Italy acquired two supply vessels, built by the Italian manufacturer Fincantieri. Fincantieri was also entrusted with the manufacturing of the forward section of the French BRFs.
The four BRFs are intended to replace the Durance-class vessels, with a view to providing support and supply missions for all French Navy vessels: fuel, munitions, spare parts, food, etc.
Essential to the strategic autonomy of the French Navy, these supply ships give France the ability to conduct operations on the high seas and to deploy far and long.
Their cargo and fuel carrying capacities are significantly superior to those of previous-generation vessels. The same is true of their tactical capabilities, with self-defense devices and a combat system allowing them to deploy autonomously to operational areas and confront asymmetric, surface, and air threats.
The DGA acts as overall project manager and project manager for the overall system, particularly with regard to the integration of various state-supplied equipment, such as the Thales RAPID Fire S40SA weapons system, the MBDA Mistral SIMBAD RC missile, and the communications systems. It also validates upgrade requests and ensures cost control, adherence to deadlines, and proper operation of the ships. Its experts are involved in the various phases of the program and take an active part in the tests to ensure the performance of the BRFs before they are admitted to active service.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique is responsible for the design, development, construction and commissioning of the powered platform, living areas, storage areas and essential functions related to refueling at sea, as well as the integration and assembly of military systems developed by Naval Group.
Naval Group is responsible for designing, integrating and maintaining operational military systems, including the combat system and systems contributing to aircraft reception and munitions loading capacity.
Technical specifications: Full load displacement: 31,000 tonnes – Overall length: 194 m – Overall width: 27.60 m – Accommodation: 200 people, including 140 crew members and 60 passengers – Fuel capacity: 13,000 m3 – Total installed power: 24 MW.
- 1st BRF delivered in July 2023: Jacques Chevallier
- 2nd BRF planned to be delivered in November 2025: Jacques Stosskopf
- 3rd BRF planned to be delivered in 2029: Emile Bertin
- 4th BRF planned to be delivered in 2032: Gustave Zédé
