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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I’m talking to you about the P400 La Rieuse (P690) patrol boat.
The La Rieuse (P689) is a P400-type patrol boat, built for the French Navy in the 1980s as part of a program to strengthen the French presence in the overseas exclusive economic zones (EEZs). Laid down at the Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN) shipyard in Cherbourg, it was launched in 1985 and entered active service in 1986. The La Rieuse belongs to a series of 10 light vessels, designed for maritime surveillance, fisheries policing, anti-trafficking, and sea rescue missions. Built to civilian standards with a view to controlling costs, it is equipped with light armament (40 mm cannon and machine guns), good autonomy, and a reduced crew.
Assigned to Réunion for most of its career, the La Rieuse was a key player in French maritime sovereignty in the Indian Ocean. It conducted regular patrols to monitor fishing activities, combat illicit trafficking, ensure maritime security, and participate in regional cooperation missions. The ship was also used for Operation Artimon during the Gulf War to enforce the embargo on Iraq. The patrol boat was withdrawn from active service in 2011, as part of the gradual replacement of the P400 class by more modern vessels such as the overseas patrol boats (POM). The La Rieuse embodies a generation of multi-purpose patrol boats, which have marked France’s constant presence in its remote territories.
Characteristics
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Length : 55 m
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Width : 8 m
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Draft : 2.54 m
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Mass : 373 tons
This patrol boat is powered by two 3700hp SEMT Pielstick 200PAVGDS diesels linked to two fixed-blade propellers. This allows La Rieuse to reach a maximum speed of 24 knots and cover a distance of 4,000 nautical miles at 15 knots. On-board electricity is provided by three GE Poyaud Jeumond-Schneider generators.
The crew is made up of around thirty sailors and can take on additional passengers.
Equipment
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Radar :
- Raccal Decca DRBN-38 surveillance radar
- Decca 1126 navigation radar
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Sonar :
- Shallow water sonar
Weapons
- 40mm Boford (front turret)
- 20mm F2 (back turret)
An ANF1 machine gun can also be installed on each side of the ship for close protection.
The ship’s armament, although not extensive, remains sufficient for defense and patrol missions in territorial waters. This armament makes it very similar to some coastal fleet ships with the same role present in other trees, such as HMAS Fremantle.
