A group of four ships of the ‘Bâteau-Ecole’ sailed up the River Clyde today and have berthed in Glasgow.
The boats can be recognised by their animal-inspired names, such as Leopard or Tiger.
The ‘bâteau-école’ are boats used by the French navy to train young cadets in navigation and rescue techniques.
The ships are FS Chacal (A753), FS Guépard (A752), FS Léopard, (A748), FS Lynx (A751) and FS Tigre (A754).
The Léopard-class training ships are a class of vessels built for the Marine Nationale (French Navy) to train officer-candidates in basic seamanship. Eight vessels were constructed by La Perrière in Lorient, Ateliers et Chantiers de la Manche (ACM) in Saint-Malo, and Société Française de Construction Navale (SFCN). They also have secondary roles in anti-pollution work and coastal patrol, remaining in active service as of 2022.
Developed in the late 1970s to replace converted minesweepers, the Léopard-class ships are designed to provide practical training in naval operations and navigation. Commonly referred to as “the menagerie” due to their animal names, these ships are 43 metres long with a displacement between 335 and 470 tonnes.
Each vessel is equipped with modernized engines and navigational radars. The crew comprises 1 officer, 10 sailors, and 4 quartermasters, along with training personnel and students. Training focuses on navigation, onboard life, and teamwork. These ships can also be used for environmental protection and coastal security missions.
For the avoidance of doubt, the drone footage was obtained legally by a qualified person in adherence to UK drone legislation and guidance. In addition, the drone is insured, and a flight plan was submitted using drone safety software.
And good luck to them on their run ashore. Mon Dieu!!
I hope we have a table set up to check their passports ala Normandy. 😉
Hehehe 😂
I hope a nice custom officer will help them with the paperwork…
I’ll try that again. 👍👮 Thanks Math
So 5 French Warships arrive in Glasgow and another arrives in Portsmouth.
Cunning, so time to light the beacons for an invasion alert and “form square” !
Hehehehe 😂 Good one!
👍👮
Coastal patrol?. LOL.
It’s a sad state of affairs when they have more training ships than we have Destroyers
That makes no sense. Training ships are hugely cheaper and simpler than destroyers. How is that a good comparison, we have more P2000s than they do destroyers, and?
If you looked the the French navy you’d actually see they only have 2 Destroyers total.
interest they also have 2 AAW frigates…modern warship nomenclature is a bit confusing….the older US cruisers..started off as frigates..then became destroyers and ended up as cruisers…
The 2 Horizons are definitely what we would call destroyers, but I don’t think the two FREMM’s, Alsace and Lorraine, are really AAW frigates (like the De Zeven Provinciens or the Sachsens). They are supposed to be truely multi-purpose, retaining their ASW capabilities. It would be interesting to see how well they do compared to say an Arleigh-Burke, given an article I was reading recently suggesting the DDG(X) might be cancelled for cost. I wonder how much capability the Americans get for their gold-plating. I’m guessing the AB’s would be streets ahead in AAW and the FREMMs would edge it… Read more »
I see very difficult for USN to not develop DDG(X), AB’s are gas guzzlers with limited range with too many crew and completely stretched too the max in a concept from 1980’s.
Saw an article on it the other day. Will see if I can find it. Would certainly be ridiculous if they scrapped it.
After this Constellation debacle I’m not sure they’ll bother with foreign designs. Not that it’s the original designs fault.
Those Americans. Take a ship design, completely redesigned it into a new ship and then wonder why it as difficult as creating a new ship. Could even be more difficult that making a new ship from scratch. I’m going 2032 for first one commissioned and on first deployment
France has no destroyers. But Horizon and FREMM are destroyers according to NATO nomenclature (hull code D). The 2 AAW FREMMs are the same as the other FREMMs, except that they have better radar and 2 Sylver A50 for 16 ASTER 30 instead of 2 Sylver A70 (MdCN). I don’t mention the space for another 2 Sylver A50 (don’t think the remaining space is compatible with A70) nor the space for even more with A35 (VL MICA) as we all know that its something that never happens with European navies to see more weapons being installed… They replace the 2… Read more »
At least the new French FDI Frigates will have ASW kit. Though obviously not as optimised and less VLS
According to this journal’s most recent report on the state of the UK surface fleet, whilst the French “only have 2 destroyers total” they have twice the availability of destroyers compared to the Royal Navy. Both the French destroyers work.
We have 2 destroyers active right now.
They look more substantive vessels than our Archers.
I’m amazed that no one has questioned, complained at their lack of armament, despite their training status.
Or is that an all British disease?
They are French so their SSM, SAM and 12”guns are all cunningly concealed inside the Wine Locker.
“Get Victory and Trincomalee out, damn the orders and engage the Frogs more closely”.😡
Failing that can they kindly tow some large rubber inflatables back to France with their former occupant’s. 🤣
Morning M8 were you surprised that Defence got a mention in last nights “Slag each other off night’ (can’t call it a debate). It never get a mention in most previous elections.
Morning mate.
I’m avoiding election stuff from the “big 2” like the plague, so didn’t watch it.
I do have the hots for Penny M though!
“Defence” like Labour saying they will build all 4 CASD boats and maintain them?
So basically what we’ve done since the 60s!
Or “Defence” as in 2% or 2.5% blah blah blah with no detail of what is shoved in that % or that force levels have dropped through the floor since 1997?
I’m guessing a mix of both. No faith in either sadly.
Pass the bucket I’m going to be sick.
Morduant would eat you, me, Rodders and most other posters and just ask for another one to be sent!
Possible next Leader of the Conservative Party; although, Kemi is just damn fierce!
Penny M. Yes please!
Kemi I believe is from Wimbledon, my home town.
Why have so many French ships been coming to Scotland? I dont particularly mind as they are NATO allies but maybe they are trying to rekindle the Auld Alliance with the SNP by saying you aren’t alone. If the English leave you can count on us. We might even think about building a few training boats on the Clyde. That would be interference; get my drift?
We already have to put up with the Irish. More 18th century politics I could do without.
They even teach french in Scottish schools.
Do they have a wine store?
(Or did that go some years ago?)
😀
Why are they retreating to Scotland? Has France gone to war?