December 20th
The Polish Department of Naval Intelligence has released its report on the French Fleet.
France
Current Ships
Lorraine
10 13.4in, 12 4.7in, 48 40mm, 6 12.7mm 23.35 knots, 10.6in belt, 5.1in deck, 25,342 normal tons.
Lorraine is currently undergoing reconstruction, and once complete will be a much more modern ship though its ability to stand up to current 15in designs may be in doubt.
2 Provence Class
10 13.4in, 12 4.7in, 32 40mm, 6 12.7mm, 23 knots, 10.6in belt, 5.1in deck, 25,342 normal tons.
Bretagne and Provence were recently modernized, together with Lorraine they could serve as a slow squadron.
2 France Class
12 15in, 12 4.7in, 48 40mm, 27 knots, 14.2in belt, 5.5in deck, 47,710 normal tons.
Frances most powerful battleships once rebuilt will be well armed and armoured, and comparable to many designs produced under Cleito.
Richelieu
8 15in, 6 6in, 12 4.7in, 48 40mm, 29 knots, 13.4in belt, 5.3in deck, 41,190 normal tons.
Frances newest Battleship is smaller than its predecessors the France class, but 2 knots faster.
Clemenceau
8 4.7in, 4 2.95in, 16 40mm, 29 knots, 1.8in belt, 2in deck, 16,580 normal tons, 72 planes.
Frances oldest aircraft carrier, a purpose-built design, it is still comparable with more modern designs. Large aircraft complement for its size.
Gambetta
8 4.7in, 4 2.95in, 16 40mm, 30 knots, 2in belt, 2in deck, 15,525 normal tons, 60 planes.
Like the other French aircraft carrier designs, Gambetta is a small carrier, but has a large aircraft complement for her size.
Vauban
8 4.7in, 32 40mm, 30 knots, 2in belt, 2in deck, 14,798 normal tons, 60 planes.
Frances newest aircraft carrier, is also its smallest. Like the other French carriers, is small and fast, and has a large aircraft complement for its size.
5 Petain Class
4 12in, 8 4.7in, 16 40mm, 17 knots, 13.8in belt, 4.7in deck, 9,190 normal tons.
Frances four CDBB are slow, heavily armed for their size, and well armoured. The very definition of a coast defence battleship.
2 Suffren Class
8 8in, 12 3.9in, 16 40mm, 6 13mm, 32.5 knots, 3.9in belt, 0.79in deck, 11,094 normal tons..
Frances first heavy cruiser design. Good armament, armour, and decent speed on an average size hull.
2 Duquesne Class
9 8in, 12 3.9in, 24 40mm, 33 knots, 3.5in belt, 0.98in deck, 11,917 normal tons.
A design which is balanced in terms of speed, armament, and armour.
Indochinie
8 8in 10 4.7in, 24 40mm, 6 12.7mm, 34 knots, 5.12in belt, 1.97in deck, 14,835 normal tons.
Frances newest and most powerful heavy cruiser is one of the best heavy cruisers in the world, extremely well armed and armoured, as well as being fast.
Ships under Construction
2 Dunkerque Class
6 13.4in, 6 9.4in, 12 4.7in, 40 40mm, 34 knots, 9.8in belt, 4.7in deck, 37,640 normal tons.
Frances new Battlecruisers are very fast, and well armed, though not as well armoured as contemporary battleships.
2 Paris Class
6 15in, 6 9.4in, 12 4.7in, 40 40mm, 34 knots, 11.8in belt, 4.7in deck, 49,069 normal tons.
Frances other new Battlecruisers are also fast, and well armed, and are better armoured than the Dunkerque class.
St. Cyr
12 4.7in, 64 40mm, 34 knots, 3.5in belt, 3.5in deck, 34,051 normal tons, 75 aircraft.
Frances newest aircraft carrier, is much bigger than the previous ones, which are around half the size of St. Cyr. St. Cyr does continue the French tradition of having fast carriers with large to average sized aircraft complements.
Comments of the Marine Nationale: Frances navy has come a very long way since WWI. It now ranks among the largest in the world, with fast, modern, and well armed squadrons. With the exception of its Battleships, the units of the French Fleet can make at least 30 knots, and all of the new units can do 34. The French Fleet, in any future conflict with the SATSUMA alliance or with any other alliance will be a fast, hard-hitting fleet, able to deliver blows, and escape before opposing forces can counter.
This post has been edited 1 times, last edit by "TheCanadian" (Apr 28th 2008, 7:02pm)