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Hello everyone and welcome to this new suggestion,
Today I present to you the second and final frigate of the F70AA class (Cassard class), the Jean Bart (D615).
The Jean Bart (D615) was built at the shipyard of Direction des Constructions Navales in Lorient, one of the main construction centers of the French Navy. The ship was launched in 1985 and, after completing sea trials and final fitting-out, officially entered service in 1989. Assigned the pennant number D615, the frigate was based at the major naval base of Naval Base Toulon, from which it would conduct most of its operational deployments throughout its career.
During more than three decades of service, the Jean Bart became one of the key elements of the French Navy’s fleet air-defense capability. The frigate frequently operated as part of French carrier strike groups, escorting major units such as the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) and providing protection against aerial threats. The ship regularly participated in large-scale French and NATO exercises, maritime security patrols, and multinational coalition operations in strategic maritime regions.
Throughout its career, the frigate deployed to several areas of operation, including the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf, where it supported international missions aimed at maintaining regional stability. In these theaters, the ship contributed to maritime surveillance, the protection of commercial shipping lanes, and coordination of airspace for coalition aircraft operating in the region. The vessel also played a role in operations aimed at countering terrorism and piracy, demonstrating the versatility of a ship primarily designed for fleet air defense. One of the most notable operations in which the Jean Bart took part was Operation Harmattan. During this campaign, the frigate contributed to coalition naval operations in the Mediterranean, helping to ensure the security of allied naval forces and coordinate air-defense coverage within the task force. The performance and commitment of the crew during this operation led to the ship being awarded the Croix de la Valeur Militaire with palm, an important recognition of the crew’s service.
After more than thirty years of operational activity, the Jean Bart was retired from active service in 2021, marking the final chapter for the Cassard-class air-defense frigates within the French Navy. These ships were gradually replaced by more modern vessels such as the FREMM Aquitaine-class, including specialized air-defense variants equipped with more advanced radar systems and missile technologies designed to counter contemporary aerial threats.
With its long operational record and numerous deployments across the world’s oceans, the Jean Bart remains one of the last representatives of a generation of French warships dedicated primarily to fleet air defense, serving the French Navy during a period of major technological and strategic evolution.
Like many other French ships before it, the Jean Bart is named in honor of the 17th-century Dunkirk privateer Jean Bart, known for his many exploits in naval battles.
Characteristics
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Length : 139 m
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Width : 14 m
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Draft : 6.5 m
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Mass : 5,000 tons
The Cassard is powered by four SEMT Pielstick 18PA6 V280 BTC Diesel engines, providing a total power output of 42,590 hp, enabling the vessel to reach a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 8,000 nautical miles at 17 knots.
The crew consists of 244 sailors.
Equipment
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Radar :
- DRBJ 11B 3D air search radar
- DRBV 26C global surveillance radar
- 2 x DRBN 34A navigation radar
- DRBC 33A fire control radar
- AN/SPG-51C fire control radar
- SMART-S 3D global surveillance multibeam radar
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IRST :
- DIBV 2A IRST
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Sonar :
- DUBA 25A or 25C sonar
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Decoy and threat detection :
- ARBB 33 jammer
- ARBR 17B radar interceptor (RWR)
- SAIGON radio interceptor
- DIBV 2A infrared interceptor (MAW)
- SQL 25 NIXIZ torpedo decoy
- 2 x SAGAIE NG decoy launcher
- 2 x DAGAIE decoy lancher
Weapons
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Guns :
- 1 x 100mm Mle 1968 canon
- 2 x 20mm GIAT F2 canon
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Torpedo :
- 2 x 533mm torpedo lauch tube
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Missiles :
- 8 x MM40 Exocet missile launcher
- 1 x RIM-66 missile launcher (40 in hold)
The RIM-66 launcher is a unique vertically reloading launcher, which can fire a missile every 15 seconds. The 40 missiles in the hold are stored in fireproof drums.
In addition to this equipment, a Panther helicopter from the 36F flotilla can be carried on board in the hangar located at the rear of the ship. This can equip its various weapons in order to provide significant support to the main ship.
This ship is obviously not one to be added to the game immediately; however, should more modern ships become available, it would be a particularly interesting vessel for the French forces, providing a ship capable of engaging maritime and aerial targets with modern weapons while also having a helicopter, allowing it to extend its operational range.
Video
[MISSILE SM1] Tir d’entraînement
Chammal : appareillage de la frégate anti-aérienne Jean Bart
Toulon (Var) : le retour de la frégate Jean Bart
Sources
- Les Frégates antiaériennes Cassard et Jean Bart (T 1254)
- Projet de loi de finances pour 2008 : Défense - Equipement des forces - Sénat
- Cassard class guided missile Frigate F70AA French Navy DDG
- FS Cassard D-614 Frigate F70AA class French Navy Marine
- Fin de vie difficile pour les frégates Cassard et Jean Bart | Mer et Marine
- La frégate Jean Bart en Inde | Mer et Marine
- https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/la-fregate-jean-bart-accompagne-le-porte-avions-dwight-d-eisenhower
- L’ex-frégate antiaérienne Jean Bart va servir de brise-lames à l’île du Levant