The LPD Siroco (L 9012) seen at NS Toulon on April 11th 2000. (Damian Allard)
The LPD Siroco (L 9012) seen at NS Toulon on April 11th 2000. (Damian Allard)
The Foudre class landing platform dock provides substantial carrying capacity, each ship being capable of landing and supporting a mechanised armoured regiment of the French rapid deployment force. The three main missions of the Foudre class are :
They now both operate within the Force d'Action Navale (Naval Action Force) based at NS Toulon.
The construction of the LPD Foudre began on March 26th 1986 at DCN Brest naval shipyard, it was launched on November 19th 1988 ; it was commissioned on December 7th 1990. It is based with his sister ship the Siroco at NS Toulon. She was first sent to the "fire" in 1990-1991 during the Gulf war, transporting SA-330 Puma, Gazelle, Super-Puma helicopters. She was often sent to Yougoslavia in order to support UN's troops. She also went to Albania in 1997 and to Kosovo in 1999.
The ship was built at DCN Brest naval shipyard, its construction began on October 9th 1995, it was launched on December 14th 1996 and it was commissioned on May 1998. Its construction was shorter, cheaper and easier than her big sister. It is equipped with modern equipments such as SEAO/ OPSMER system. Her first mission, was to transport three SA-330 Puma helicopters, nine VAB armoured transport vehicles and a French Army regiment to Timor in October 1999.
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1/ Aeronautical installations and carrier air wing
They have each one a hangar (430 m² - 6 m height) which can accommodate four medium-lift helicopters AS-332 Super Puma or two heavy-lift helicopters SA-321G Super-Frelons. The LPD Foudre has a 1,450 m² flight deck while LPD Siroco's is 1,536 m². Furthermore, seven Super-Pumas can be parked on the flight deck. There are three helicopter landing spots (four on the LPD Siroco), two landing spots on the flight deck and one on the 400 m² deck well rolling cover. The two SAMAHE haul down systems were removed from the LPD Foudre because of Super-Pumas/ SA-330 Pumas unable to use it.
2/ Amphibious capacities and accommodation
The ship's complement is 210 crew with 13 officers. The ship provides accommodation for 226 crew members, and 467 passengers or troops. With 700 crew and passengers, the ship has an endurance of 30 days. In times of crisis the ship can accommodate up to 1,600 people.
The Foudre class ships support deployment of landing craft carrying infantry, equipment and tanks. The 13,000 cubic metre well-dock can be used as a floating dock or to ferry vehicles. The well dock can accommodate either ten medium-size landing craft (LCMs) or one mechanised landing craft (LSM) and four medium-sized landing craft (LCMs). Mobile decks can be used to provide vehicle parking space or for landing operations. The cargo lift has a 52 ton capacity. The 12 m crane is rated to carry 37 tons of cargo.
With one LCT and four LCMs they can also accommodate ten tanks, twenty-one trucks and thirty jeeps. Without landing craft they can accommodate 180-200 vehicles (jeeps, tanks, trucks...).
3/ Hospital capacities
They are pretty important (500 m²) ; two operating theatre suites, 55 beds, two rooms for the great burnt. The Siroco is fitted to accommodate future hospital installations.
4/ Weapons
5/ Electronic equipment
The Foudre class ships are equipped with an OPSMER command support system. The ship's communication suite is integrated with the Syracuse satellite communications system. The spherical satellite communications radomes are located just behind the main mast to the port and starboard side of the ship immediately above the helicopter hangar.
Radars :
Decoys :
Miscellaneous :
Communications :
5/ Machinery and crew
Machinery :
Crew :
Passengers :