Durance class BCR, Somme (A631)

Mathll · June 16, 2026, 9:53pm

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Hello everyone and welcome to this new suggestion.

Today, I’m presenting a second ship of the Durance class, and more specifically, the last one to enter service: the Somme (A631).

In the 1970s, the French fleet had several replenishment oilers tasked with supplying fuel and provisions to warships. These vessels were essential to the smooth operation of the French Navy. However, they were aging, as they were ships designed before the start of World War II. To replace them, France ordered five new ships whose design was inspired by American replenishment oilers of the time.

The fifth and final ship of the Durance class, the Somme was laid down in 1985 in La Seyne-sur-Mer before entering service with the French Navy in 1990. Assigned for several years to the Indian Ocean, the ship served primarily as a command vessel for the region, thanks to its extensive communication capabilities that enabled it to coordinate the various units deployed in the theater. However, this was obviously not its only mission. The ship was also integrated on several occasions into French carrier strike groups, successively accompanying the aircraft carriers Foch, Clemenceau, and then Charles de Gaulle since the early 2000s. In parallel, it regularly resupplied allied vessels during various operations. The Somme also participated in numerous multinational exercises with France’s partners, notably Grand African Nemo and Joint Viking 25. More surprisingly for a support ship, the Somme was also involved in actual combat situations. Twice, in 2009 and 2010, she was attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia who mistook her for a conventional merchant ship. These attacks, however, backfired, as the marine infantry detachments embarked on board quickly intercepted and captured the assailants in both incidents.

Still in service today, the Somme is scheduled to be replaced next year by a Jacques Chevallier-class vessel after nearly 37 years of service with the French Navy.

Like all ships of this class, the Somme is named after a French river. In this case, she pays tribute to the Somme, a river in northern France over 200 kilometers long.

Characteristics

Length : 157.20 m

Width : 21.20 m

Draft : 10.80 m

Mass :

Empty : 7600 tons
Full : 17800 tons

The ship is powered by two SEMT Pielstick diesel engines, giving it a total power output of 20,800 hp. This allows it to reach a top speed of 19 knots and a range of 9,000 nautical miles at 15 knots. Its crew consists of 112 sailors.
When fully loaded, the ship can carry several thousand tons of fuel for other vessels, for aircraft and helicopters deployed from these ships, as well as several hundred tons of water, provisions, and ammunition.

Equipment

The ship’s electronic equipment is surprising, to say the least. While navigation radars are expected for a vessel of this era and size, the presence of anti-torpedo and anti-radar jammers is more unexpected.

2 x DRBN-34 navigation radar
1 x SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo jammer
1 x BSM maritime jammer

In addition, the ship carries a combat helicopter in its aft hangar and can deploy it from the designated flight deck. The embarked helicopters were Alouette IIIs. These aircraft are anti-submarine warfare helicopters that can be equipped with appropriate weaponry (torpedoes, sonobuoys).

Weapons

In terms of armament, the Somme differs from the Durance. While the Durance remained in service with the French forces for only a short time, the Somme remained longer and benefited from improvements to its armament, particularly for better protection against aerial threats.

Guns:

1 x 40mm L60 Bofors
4 x 12.7mm machine guns

Other:

2 x SIMBAD system (1)

(1)The SIMBAD system is a turret operated by a single person, capable of firing Mistral missiles at all types of aerial targets (munitions, drones, helicopters, aircraft).

This ship is obviously not to be added to the game right away, however in the event that similar ships were to be added, it would be an interesting addition to the French tree, providing a supply ship capable of defending itself against light threats.

Pictures

Video

La SNMCMG2 à bord du BCR Somme
Ravitaillement à la mer en flèche, FASM Georges Leygues / BCR Somme
Fransız Donanması’nın yakıt ikmal gemisi FS Somme (A631) Çanakkale Boğazı’nda (14.04.2024) #FSSomme

Sources