France Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

asif iqbal said:

I think it's a good thing UK has shown that they can act alone and don't just follow the US into everything and anything

It's what you call a dynamic relationship, we were asked we studied the situation and we decided what we wanted to do

Everyone respects that

Click to expand...

And now Obama is being forced to wait on a debate and vote in the U.S. Congress. Probably starting September 9th.

He was forced to do this by the uproar from Congress. Too many representatives demanding he abide the Constitution, including many from his own party. With mid terms coming up, no democrat wanted to be saddled with a potential Syrian boondoggle that was solely on the democrats back in next year's elections.

The US congress may vote him down like the UK Parliament did to Cameron.

Jeff Head said:

And now Obama is being forced to wait on a debate and vote in the U.S. Congress. Probably starting September 9th.

He was forced to do this by the uproar from Congress. Too many representatives demanding he abide the Constitution, including many from his own party. With mid terms coming up, no democrat wanted to be saddled with a potential Syrian boondoggle that was solely on the democrats back in next year's elections.

The US congress may vote him down like the UK Parliament did to Cameron.

Click to expand...

Worst thing Obama did was commit himself to this silly "red line" he's the President of the USA, he needs to think before committing to anything because you commit then do nothing it ruins the credibility

Now I think it will look "not so bad" if he congress doesn't go along with his plan because it will look like he did do something but was never backed

Until yesterday it was all lights camera action and no they have taken a back seat

Where does this leave the French? Well they can just wait for now

asif iqbal said:

He's the President of the USA, he needs to think before committing to anything because you commit then do nothing it ruins the credibility

Now I think it will look "not so bad" if the congress doesn't go along with his plan because it will look like he did do something but was never backed

Where does this leave the French? Well they can just wait for now

Click to expand...

The Obama administration has so many faces that it is almost impossible to really know who or what they are.

This morning individuals on Obama's national security team are now saying he is not "bound," by what congress votes and that he would/could act unilaterally even if they vote against him in congress, and do it anyway!

These people are simply crazy and sophomoric when it comes to national security and international relations.

I am ashamed to say that they are the leaders of our nation.

Guardian said:

The Obama administration indicated on Sunday that it would launch military strikes against Syria even if it failed to get the backing of the US Congress, claiming evidence that sarin gas had been used in chemical attacks outside Damascus last month.

Less than a day after the president vowed to put an attack to a congressional vote, secretary of state John Kerry said the administration was determined to act against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, and did not need the backing of Congress to do so.

Click to expand...

Ok so even if he gets voted down he can still go unilateral!?

So why wait is the question of he's not done his homework with the congress he will face some tough choices

Hard to say. I think he is trying to convince himself that there is some one who will say "Yes".

Third FREMM Provence


Aquitaine homeport Brest operationnal
Normandie for 2014 homeport Brest
Provence for 2015/16 homeport Toulon

AA version : "FREDA" now 8th and 9th, before 10 and 11 because FREMM programm delayed but always 11 planned and French navy want remove more fast her Cassard FFG with limited MK-13 lauchers.

FREDA with 32 Aster-15/30 in VLS are good AA ships but should use normaly Herakles radar or upgraded, less good radar as Forbin, they are not " AEGIS " ships.

FORBIN said:

Third FREMM Provence

AA version : "FREDA" now 8th and 9th, before 10 and 11 because FREMM programm delayed but always 11 planned and French navy want remove more fast her Cassard FFG with limited MK-13 lauchers.

FREDA with 32 Aster-15/30 in VLS are good AA ships but should use normaly Herakles radar or upgraded, less good radar as Forbin, they are not " AEGIS " ships.

Click to expand...

These are good frigates, displacing 6,000 tons.

In terms of major surface combatants, the French are scaling back overall, but with good equipment for what they will have. Two Forbins, eleven FREMMs, and the carrier. Of course they will still have their six SSNs, but overall, that's a small number of major combatants.

NAVYRECOGNITION, from SD's own NavyReco has a good site on the FREMMs:

Her VLS can use Aster-15 or CM MDCN.


In more a new frigate is planned : Frigate FTI, Frégate de taille intermédiaire : Frigate midsize.

About 3000/4000 t, for replace La Fayette and possible one other version less armed for replace Floréal, one big OPV in fact.

It is planned beginning of the program 2018 and first ship commissionned 2025.

FORBIN said:

In more a new frigate is planned : Frigate FTI, Frégate de taille intermédiaire : Frigate midsize.

About 3000/4000 t, for replace La Fayette and possible one other version less armed for replace Floréal, one big OPV in fact.

It is planned beginning of the program 2018 and first ship commissionned 2025.

Click to expand...

I thought the FREMMs were going to replace the La Fayettes too. If there are going to be another class in addition to the FREMM, that is a good thing.

Any idea how many vessels that class will number?

I thought the OPV was going to be that new, very stealthy vessel the P725 L'Adroit, Gowind Class, that DCNS built and is letting the French Navy use for three years.


Is the OPV you are talking about different from this?

I think the best La Fayette design is the Formidable Class built for Singapore. These six vessels are...well, Formidable, to this day.

France would be well served IMHO, and probably spend less money, if they just built more of these with the latest sensors and weapons upgrades. I believe they are better than their own five French La Fayettes, or the six Taiwan Kang Dings, and at least as good (if not better) than the three Saudi Al Riyadh class.

If we have 15 DD/FF heavy as white paper planned whose 11 Aquitaine with 2 Forbin : 2 FTI heavy

After in 2025 if economy is better, again 18 DD/FF heavy and FTI have a good price, then 5 FTI heavy ?

Definitely 6 FTI light for replace 6 Floréal.

Is the OPV you are talking about different from this?

Click to expand...

OPV with a size as Floréal, about 2500/3000 t, one gun 76, can use NH-90, maybe some ssm, AA missiles as VL Mica, weaponry a lot more therefore, best autonomy ( for Polynesia, Réunion etc... ) as Adroit which is armed with a ridiculous gun and water hoses !!!

FFG Formidable are great ships ! one the most powerful frigates, use Aster-15 but also Aster-30 with Herakles radar, but no AEGIS.