New French Navy Logistics Vessel Jacques Stosskopf Starts Sea Trials

The second of four new logistics support ships (LSS) being produced for the French Navy via OCCAR has just begun her first sea trials.

Initially six LSS vessels are being produced — two for Italy and four for France — in a programme managed by joint arms group OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'ARmement, or Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation). 

The French style their ships as force replenishment vessels: bâtiment ravitailleur de forces (BRF). FS Jacques Stosskopf, which was launched in September 2024, is the second French ship produced under the OCCAR-managed programme.

She sailed out of Saint-Nazaire to start her sea trials last week; if all goes to plan, she will be delivered to the French Navy later this summer. 

A French Navy press statement noted: “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-defence devices and a combat system allowing them to deploy autonomously to their area of ​​operations and to face asymmetric, surface, and air threats.”

The four BRFs will replace the French Navy's Durance-class vessels: it is anticipated all the French Navy ships will be delivered by 2032. The first Italian LSS vessel, ITS Vulcano, was delivered to the Italian Navy in March 2021, while FS Jacques Chevallier was delivered to the French Navy in 2023 and commissioned in November 2024. 

The €375 million double-hulled support ships have been designed with “dual-use” capabilities for both military operations and civilian disaster response missions. They have a cargo capacity of up to 15,500 tonnes and can refuel other ships, produce fresh water, carry cargo, conduct repairs at sea and provide medical care.

As per the OCCAR website: “LSS is capable of supporting multiple missions, ranging from naval Joint Task Force to HQ afloat operations, providing medical support and transporting naval and aviation fuel, fresh water, ammunitions, lubricating oil, food, spare parts and 20ft ISO containers.”

The French ships are being constructed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire; the Italian ships are being built by Fincantieri. At least one more LSS vessel may eventually be procured for the Marina Militare under the terms of the programme, which has been running since 2015; according to media reports, a potential fourth has since been mooted by the Italian Ministry of Defence.

• You can read more details on the French Navy website and more about the LSS programme on the OCCAR website