Suffren Class Frigates

Introduction

The Suffren was the first French vessel to be designed from the ground up as a guided-missile ship. Her main task was originally to provide Clemenceau carrier groups with comprehensive anti-air capabilities.

Service History

Suffren entered service in 1967 and Duquesne in 1970. With a complement of 355 men, Suffren could reach speeds of up to 34 knots and had a range of 5,100 nautical miles.

Modernization and Armament

After her refit and modernization in 1990, she embarked 48 Masurca SAMs, 4 Exocets AshMs, 10 L5 anti-submarine torpedoes, and two 100mm gun turrets. The ship was also equipped with a comprehensive array of electronic and mechanical countermeasures and decoys as well as sensors and radars.

Decommissioning

Suffren was decommissioned in 2001 and Duquesne in 2008. They were replaced by ships of the Horizon class.

-RBM.