Surface ships
High-performance, reliable and scalable, the surface ships built by Naval Group integrate cutting-edge technology, enabling navies to protect their nation’s sovereignty in seas around the world. Every effort is made to facilitate the operational deployment and maintenance of these concentrates of technology, designed to last for several decades.
Naval Group masters the complete range of surface ships, from patrol ships right up to nuclear aircraft carriers. Naval Group’s warships (Gowind®, multimission frigates and defence and intervention frigates) guarantee operational superiority in all types of warfare, Mistral-class Landing Helicopter Docks (LHD) that can transport forces, command air-sea operations and support humanitarian missions. All our surface ships benefit from the most advanced technologies as well as cutting-edge equipment, enabling them to counter all threats (conventional, cyber, asymmetric).
Detect before being detected
The combination of exceptionally low acoustic signatures and high-performance sensors enable our ships to detect others before being detected. Their spacious aviation installations allow helicopters and drones to be safely deployed under all sea conditions. The use of various drones enables our surface ships to considerably expand their surveillance areas.
Interoperability and coordination
Interoperability is essential for fleets carrying out missions ranging from internal security to combat on the high seas. Our surface ships ensure interoperability in accordance with the standards of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), chiefly through tactical data links enabling the coordination of allied fleets’ combat systems.
Our surface ship offer
Aircraft carriers
The French Navy’s flagship, Charles de Gaulle, underwent extensive refurbishment during its mid-life refit in February 2017.
Naval Group is the whole warship architect for the French Navy's new aircraft carrier (PA-Ng) and started detailed preliminary project studies for this ship in 2023 along with its partners Chantiers de l’Atlantique and TechnicAtome.
Naval Group is also in charge of aviation deployment systems (including catapults and arresting gear), the combat system, navigation system, electrical energy production (nuclear steam supply system), the production of nuclear reactor sub-assemblies, the integration of these reactors onboard ships as well as tests and trials.
It was returned to the French Navy eighteen months later, equipped with new combat and aviation installation systems as well as a modernised platform.
Mistral class LHD: high-capacity, high-agility
Versatile and capable, Mistral class LHDs have proven their effectiveness in a wide range of joint force projection and support operations.
They have been used to provide assistance to victims during several sanitary and evacuation operations. In March 2020, the Tonnerre helped to transfer Covid-19 victims from Corsica to the French mainland thanks to its onboard hospital.
FREMM, the ultimate surface combatant
The multimission frigate (FREMM) - with ten ships now built - provides first-rate naval capacities in all areas of warfare, and particularly in anti-submarine warfare and deep strikes.
It launched its first cruise missiles in operations in 2018.
FDI Belh@rra®, the digital warrior
With a more compact size, the Defence and Intervention frigate (FDI) integrates the most up-to-date technological innovations, both in its design and construction, and embodies our expertise as an integrator with high added value. As a multimission frigate, it is designed to handle all areas of warfare. With the order from Greece in 2022, six Belh@rra® frigates will be produced in Lorient and three additional frigates in optional tranches.
Equipped with a cloud-type distributed digital architecture, it is scalable, resilient and provides the services required by today's crews on demand.
Gowind®, regional superiority at sea
Robust, superbly equipped, easy to operate, the Gowind® integrates sensors and weapons thanks to the Setis® combat management system. Its design allows for complete transfer of technology, enabling our customers to build this ship in their own country.
It is capable of managing anti-submarine, anti-aircraft and anti-surface missions.
Minehunters
Twelve minesweeping vessels, six for the Belgian Navy and six for the Dutch Navy, will each be able to deploy around one hundred drones thanks to the innovations developed by Naval Group and its partners that enable their safe and simple deployment.
They will be delivered upon conclusion of the agreement entered into by Naval Group in 2018. Based on cooperation with around forty Belgian partners, an initial delivery is expected in 2024.
Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV)
With its subsidiary Kership, Naval Group offers a comprehensive range of Offshore Patrol Vessels - innovative, robust, affordable and simple to operate and maintain. Designed for both the French Navy as well as several foreign navies, these ships undertake demanding maritime surveillance and security operations.
Bâtiment ravitailleur de forces (BFR) :
En partenariat avec Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Naval Group propose un nouveau bâtiment de support logistique aux performantes inédites, avec des capacités de ravitaillement deux fois supérieures à la génération précédente, et des capacités militaires innovantes. Le bâtiment ravitailleur de forces (BRF) joue un rôle clé au sein d'une force navale et en particulier au sein du groupe aéronaval de la Marine nationale. Son architecture flexible et sa taille peut être facilement adaptée selon les besoins des marines étrangères.