Georges Leygues-class frigate

Montcalm, a Georges Leygues-class frigate
Class overview
NameGeorges Leygues class
BuildersBrest arsenal
Operators French Navy
Preceded byTourville class
Succeeded byAquitaine class (anti-submarine variant)
Built1974–1988
In commission10 December 1979 – 1 July 2022
Completed7
Retired7
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement
  • 3,550 t (3,494 long tons)
  • 4,500 t (4,429 long tons) full load
Length139 m (456 ft 0 in)
Beam14 m (45 ft 11 in)
Draught5.7 m (18 ft 8 in)
Propulsion
  • CODOG
  • 2 × Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbines, 26,000 hp (19,388 kW) each
  • 2 × SEMT Pielstick 16PA6-V280 diesel engines, 5,200 hp (3,878 kW) each
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range7,400 nmi (13,700 km; 8,500 mi)
Complement235
Armament
Aircraft carried2 × Westland Lynx anti-ship helicopters (retired 2020);[2] From 2020: AS565 Panther or Alouette III (on remaining vessel D646)

The Georges Leygues class (Type C70 AS or Type F70 AS) was a class of anti-submarine destroyers of the French Navy.[3] They were multi-role ships due to their Exocet and Crotale missile armament, making them especially suitable for the defence of strategic positions, show of force operations, or as high seas escorts. The design was initially officially known as a "corvette" with the designation C70, but were internationally labelled an "anti-submarine destroyer" (hence the "D" in the hull numbers).[4] Subsequently, the French referred to the ships as "frigates" with the designation F70.[5]

  1. ^ "Georges Leygues class anti-submarine destroyer Type F70 ASW Anti-submarine Frigate Frégates anti-sous-marins FASM D640 D641 D642 D643 D644 D645 D646 DUBV-43 DSBV-61 Marine Nationale French Navy DCNS datasheet pictures photos video specifications". navyrecognition.com. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  2. ^ Grolleau, Henri-Pierre (5 July 2019). "French Navy brings forward Lynx retirement". Janes.com. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  3. ^ Avery, Derek (1987). Modern Warships. London: Collins. pp. 80–81. ISBN 0-00-458855-X.
  4. ^ Ireland, Bernard (1984). Navies of the West. London: Ian Allan. p. 26. ISBN 0-71-101339-X.
  5. ^ "Retrait définitif du service pour la frégate Georges Leygues" (in French). ActuNautique.com. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.