Foudre class landing platform dock
Encyclopedia
The Foudre type vessels are landing platforms of the French Navy
.
They carry large stowage areas which can be used to ferry battle tanks and vehicles, a 52-ton elevating platform, a lateral ramp and a flight deck able to simultaneously operate several helicopters.
Three rotations of such ships can ferry a whole armoured regiment with its 22 AMX-30 or Leclerc
battle tanks, 44 AMX 10 RC
heavy armoured cars, 22 véhicules de l'Avant Blindé
, 41 all-terrain light vehicles (including 16 MILAN
anti-tank missile systems), 54 TRM 4000 trucks, 15 TRM 2000 light trucks, 5 fuel trucks, 2 tug trucks, 6 120 mm mortars, 67 towed containers and one beach carpeting system, overall 3300 tonnes.
The hull is built around a well deck
which constitutes ¾ of the length of the ship, and can accommodate up to eight landing craft. They can be put to sea by filling ballast tanks and lowering the ship, and opening the rear door.
The aeronautical installations allow all-weather operations of transport helicopters, intended to carry commandos. 4 Super-Puma
or 2 Super-Frelon
helicopters can be accommodated in the hangar.
On June 2010, French defence minister Hervé Morin
offered the Foudre (L 9011) to the Argentine Navy
during his visit to Buenos Aires . Argentina had already declined the transfer of the Ouragan class
in the past and is more interested in seeking French support for a locally built
amphibious ship instead .
In October 2011 it was announced that Chile and France had finalized negotiations for sale of Foudre to Chile for around USD80 million.
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
.
They carry large stowage areas which can be used to ferry battle tanks and vehicles, a 52-ton elevating platform, a lateral ramp and a flight deck able to simultaneously operate several helicopters.
Three rotations of such ships can ferry a whole armoured regiment with its 22 AMX-30 or Leclerc
Leclerc
The AMX-56 Leclerc, commonly known as the Leclerc, is a main battle tank built by Nexter of France. It was named in honour of General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque who led the French element of the drive towards Paris while in command of the Free French 2nd Armoured Division in World War...
battle tanks, 44 AMX 10 RC
AMX 10 RC
The AMX-10RC is a wheeled recon vehicle and tank destroyer built by GIAT. Over 300 are in service in the French Army. 120 additional vehicles were sold to Morocco and Qatar ....
heavy armoured cars, 22 véhicules de l'Avant Blindé
Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé
The Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé or VAB is an armoured personnel carrier and support vehicle designed by the Euro Mobilité Division of GIAT Industries of France. It entered service in 1976; around 5,000 were produced.- Design :The VAB was designed as a wheeled troop transporter, complementing the...
, 41 all-terrain light vehicles (including 16 MILAN
MILAN
MILAN " is French and German for "kite bird") is a European anti-tank guided missile. Design of the MILAN started in 1962. It was ready for trials in 1971, and was accepted for service in 1972. It is a wire guided SACLOS missile, which means the sight of the launch unit has to be aimed at the...
anti-tank missile systems), 54 TRM 4000 trucks, 15 TRM 2000 light trucks, 5 fuel trucks, 2 tug trucks, 6 120 mm mortars, 67 towed containers and one beach carpeting system, overall 3300 tonnes.
The hull is built around a well deck
Well deck
A well deck or well dock is a hangar-like deck located at the waterline in the stern of some amphibious warfare ships. By taking on water the ship can lower its stern, flooding the well deck and allowing boats and amphibious landing craft to dock within the ship. This facilitates moving cargo...
which constitutes ¾ of the length of the ship, and can accommodate up to eight landing craft. They can be put to sea by filling ballast tanks and lowering the ship, and opening the rear door.
The aeronautical installations allow all-weather operations of transport helicopters, intended to carry commandos. 4 Super-Puma
Eurocopter Super Puma
The Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter marketed for both civil and military use. Originally designed and built by Aérospatiale, it is an enlarged and re-engined version of the original Aérospatiale Puma...
or 2 Super-Frelon
Aérospatiale Super Frelon
The Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. "Frelon" is French for hornet....
helicopters can be accommodated in the hangar.
On June 2010, French defence minister Hervé Morin
Hervé Morin
Hervé Morin is a French politician, leader of the New Center party and a former French Minister of Defence.-Member of National Assembly:...
offered the Foudre (L 9011) to the Argentine Navy
Argentine Navy
The Navy of the Argentine Republic or Armada of the Argentine Republic is the navy of Argentina. It is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, together with the Army and the Air Force....
during his visit to Buenos Aires . Argentina had already declined the transfer of the Ouragan class
Ouragan class landing platform dock
The Ouragan was a class of French landing platform docks operated by the French Navy. They were called Transport de chalands de débarquement .-Overview:The ships in this class were used for:...
in the past and is more interested in seeking French support for a locally built
Argentine defense industry
The Argentine defense industry has developed over the years, different programs to improve the armed forces of Argentina. The first major steps to establish a defense industry were made during the Second World War and they received a boost during the 1970s after the United States imposed an arms...
amphibious ship instead .
In October 2011 it was announced that Chile and France had finalized negotiations for sale of Foudre to Chile for around USD80 million.