F70ASM Frigate class, Jean de Vienne (D643)

Mathll · May 27, 2026, 4:46am

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Hello everyone and welcome to this new suggestion.

Today, I’m presenting a ship of the F70 class: the Jean de Vienne (D643).

Laid down in the late 1970s at the Lorient naval shipyard, the Jean de Vienne was launched in 1981 before entering active service with the French Navy in 1984. The fifth unit of the Georges Leygues class, it was designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare.

From the moment it entered service, the Jean de Vienne was integrated into the French naval forces and participated in numerous escort and surveillance missions, particularly in support of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. Thanks to its sonar systems, torpedoes, and embarked helicopter, it possesses advanced capabilities for detecting and tracking underwater threats.

Throughout its career, the ship was deployed to numerous theaters of operation. It participates in missions in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and the Persian Gulf. Notably, it was deployed during the Gulf War, contributing to the naval operations of the international coalition tasked with enforcing United Nations resolutions.

In the 1990s and 2000s, with the evolving strategic context, the role of the Jean de Vienne expanded. It took part in crisis management, maritime control, and embargo operations, as well as presence missions in sensitive areas. It also participated in multinational deployments. The ship is also involved in operations to combat maritime terrorism and illicit trafficking, particularly in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Its versatility allows it to fulfill a wide variety of missions, ranging from escort and surveillance to securing maritime routes.

Over the years, the Jean de Vienne has undergone several modernizations designed to extend its service life and maintain its operational capabilities. These upgrades allow it to remain fully operational in the face of new threats and technological advancements. After more than three decades of service, the Jean de Vienne was finally decommissioned in 2018. It left its mark on the French Navy with a career rich in deployments and operational engagements.

Finally, the ship takes its name from Jean de Vienne, a 14th-century French admiral, known for his role in various battles against the English and for contributing to the reorganization of the Royal Navy.

Characteristics

Length : 139 m
Width : 15 m
Draft : 5.5 m
Mass : 4,500 tons

The vessel is powered by a 26,000 hp Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbine engine, complemented by two 5,000 hp SEMT Pielstick 16PA6 diesel engines. This allows it to reach a speed of 30 knots with the gas engines and 15 knots with the diesel engines. Its range is 8,000 nautical miles at a speed of 15 knots.

The crew consists of 240 sailors.

Equipment

Radar :
- DRBV 15A global surveillance radar
- DRBV 26A air search radar
- DRBC 33A fire control radar
- DRBN 34 navigation radar
IRST :
- DIBV 2A IRST
Sonar :
- DUBV 24C hull sonar
- DUBV 43B/C depth sonar
- DSBV 61 towed sonar
Decoys and threat detection :
- ARBB 36 jammer
- ARBR 16 radar interceptor (RWR)
- SQL 25 NIXIZ torpedo decoy
- 2 x DAGAIE decoy lancher
- 4 x Irvin Aerospace decoy launcher

Weapons

Guns :
- 1 x 100mm Mle 1968 DCN/GIAT
- 2 x 20mm F2 GIAT
Torpedos :
- 2 x Torpedo tude (L5 torpedo or Mu90)
Missiles :
- 4 or 8 x MM40 Exocet missiles
- 1 x Crotale EDIR (8 missiles)
- 2 x SIMBAD CIWS (2 x 2 Mistral missiles)

In addition to these weapons, the ship can carry a combat helicopter in its hangar and deploy it via the helipad at the stern. The model used is the Linx Mk4 until its decommissioning, then the NH90 until the ship’s decommissioning.

In game this ship would be the most powerfully armed French ship in terms of anti-submarine and anti-ship combat before the arrival of new generation ships with discreet coatings. This ship would therefore be a very interesting addition to the French tree, bringing a powerfully armed combat ship when adding similar ships in the game

Pictures

Video

les adieux de la frégate Jean de Vienne, filleule de Besançon
La frégate Jean de Vienne et les Alsaciens

Sources