Aviso type A69 Commandant Ducuing (F795)

Mathll · May 26, 2026, 1:46am

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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.

Today, I invite you to discover another ship of the A69 class: the Commandant Ducuing (F795).

The A69 class avisos, also known as D’Estienne d’Orves type vessels, comprise a series of 17 offshore patrol vessels built for France between the 1970s and 1980s. Originally designed for coastal anti-submarine warfare, these multi-purpose ships have gradually become essential in a variety of missions, ranging from maritime surveillance to overseas operations, including combating illicit trafficking.

Laid down in 1981 and commissioned in 1983, the Commandant Ducuing is one of the most active units of the class. Initially based in Brest, it was later deployed to Toulon, from where it operates primarily in the Mediterranean and in overseas theaters of operation.

Throughout its career, the Commandant Ducuing has distinguished itself through sustained operational activity and a wide variety of missions. It is regularly involved in maritime presence and surveillance operations, notably as part of Operation Corymbe in the Gulf of Guinea, where it contributes to securing shipping lanes and cooperating with local navies.
The ship also participates in counter-piracy and anti-trafficking operations, particularly in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Its ability to remain at sea for extended periods and intervene rapidly makes it a valuable asset for these types of missions. On several occasions, it has been called upon to monitor, intercept, and inspect suspicious vessels.

Among its notable achievements, the Commandant Ducuing has also been involved in missions supporting French military operations, particularly during deployments related to regional crises. Its versatility allows it to carry out both deterrent presence missions and concrete maritime control actions. Like other ships of its class, it is renowned for its robustness and the endurance of its crew. Despite its modest tonnage and Cold War-era design, it remained fully operational for a long time. Sailors often emphasize its ability to withstand harsh sea conditions, reinforcing its image as a reliable and rugged vessel.

The Commandant Ducuing was finally decommissioned in 2025, after nearly forty years of active service. Its career perfectly illustrates the longevity and usefulness of the A69-class avisos within the French Navy.

The ship is named after Gabriel Ducuing, commander of the Gris-Nez lighthouse, who died with his men while attempting to defend the area during the German invasion of 1940. He was a seasoned pilot who had notably served in the First World War.

Characteristics

Length : 80 m
Width : 10.3 m
Draft : 5.3 m
Mass : 1250 tons

The vessel is powered by 2 SEMT Pielstick 12PC2V400 diesel engines giving a total power of 12,000 horsepower, 2 propeller shafts are present and each has a propeller with four adjustable blades. The power system is completed by 3 diesel generators capable of generating 840 kW of power. Its maximum speed is 24 knots and its range allows it to cover 5,000 nautical miles at 18 knots. Its crew varies between 90 and 100 sailors.

Equipment

Radar :
- DRBV 51A Surveillance radar
- DRBC 32E Fire control radar
- DECCA 1226 Navigation radar
- ARBR 16 : Radar interceptor (RWR)
Sonar :
- DUBA 25 hull-mounted sonar
Decoys :
- 2 x Dagaie decoy launcher
- SLQ-25 Nixie towed torpedo decoy

In addition, the ship was equipped with a reconnaissance drone during its final years of service.

Weapons

Before 1976 :

1 x 100mm (front gun)
2 x Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft gun mounts (one on each side)
4 x L3 or L5 torpedo (two fixed tubes on each side)
1 x 375mm x 6 anti-submarine rocket launcher (turret on rear platform)
4 x 12.7 machine gun (two gun slings at the front above the gangway and two on the rear platform)

After 1976 :

1 x 100mm (front gun)
2 x Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft gun mounts (one on each side)
2 x MM38 Exocet (one on each side)
4 x L3 or L5 torpedo (two fixed tubes on each side)
1 x 375mm x 6 anti-submarine rocket launcher (turret on rear platform)
4 x 12.7 machine gun (two gun slings at the front above the gangway and two on the rear platform)

In 2009, the Estiennes D’Orves-class ships were reclassified as ocean-going patrol vessels and therefore had to reduce their armament (anti ship and anti submarine weapons were removed).

After 2009 :

1 x 100mm (front gun)
2 x Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft gun mounts (one on each side)
1 x Sambad weapon system (double Mistral launcher place where the 375mm was installed)
4 x 12.7 machine gun (two gun slings at the front above the gangway and two on the rear platform)

In game this ship would be an interesting addition for the french coastal tech tree, adding a rather modern and well equiped ship with different kind of weapons and capacity.

Pictures

Video

Port-Gentil : Escale du Commandant Ducuing
Départ de l’Aviso Commandant Ducuing (F 795 ) Sète 13/05/2015

Sources