The Georges Leygues class once considered the backbone of the French Navy now has only one active ship, the Latouche-Treville D-646
Previously, six of the class were decommissioned from 2014 to 2020. The last one is expected to be retired in 2022
The Georges Leygues class, also known as the Type C70 or Type F70, is a class of anti-submarine destroyers of the French Navy
The design was initially officially known as a "corvette" with the designation C70
but were internationally labelled an "anti-submarine destroyer" (hence the "D" in the hull numbers)
Subsequently, the French referred to the ships as "frigates" with the designation F70
The ships were built between 1974 and 1988
They are multi-role ships due to their Exocet and Crotale missile armament, making them especially suitable for the defence of strategic positions
show of force operations, or as high seas escorts
The ships have a full load displacement of about 4,500 tons, a length of 139 m, a beam of 14 m, and a draft of 5.7 m
Propulsion system is Combined diesel or gas, consisting of two Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbines, with 26,000 hp each
There are also two SEMT Pielstick 16PA6-V280 diesel engines, with 5,200 hp each
The ship can reach a maximum speed of 30 knots, a range of 7,400 nmi, with a crew of 235 men
The superstructures were built to optimise resistance to the blast from nuclear explosions
The last three ships of the class had their bridges raised one deck to overcome problems experienced by the first four in bad weather
as well as being equipped with DSBV 61 passive linear towed array sonar and several other upgraded systems
The first two ships of the Georges Leygues class were armed with sea-skimming Exocet anti-ship missiles of the MM.38 type
while the remaining vessels have the extended-range MM.40
Air defence is handled by a single octuple Crotale Naval launcher on all vessels
and two Simbad twin launchers for Mistral missiles may be carried in lieu of two 20 mm anti-aircraft guns on the last four ships
Two Sadral sextuple surface-to-air missile launchers for the Mistral SAM
and two 30 mm Breda/Mauser guns were fitted to the first four ships in the class as part of an air defense upgrade
For their primary mission of engaging submarines
the Georges Leygues carry a comprehensive sonar fit and are armed with L5 anti-submarine torpedoes launched from two fixed tubes
With active/passive homing, these have a range of only 9 km which is uncomfortably close enough to raise concerns regarding fratricide
The ships carry two Lynx Mk.4 helicopters armed with Mk.46 or Mu 90 anti-submarine torpedoes
except Georges Leygues which carries no helicopters, its hangar being converted for training
The helicopters track and monitor submarine contacts
In addition to its sturdy construction, this class of anti-submarine frigates was also specially built to withstand harsh weather conditions
it can navigate during heavy storms with unmatched stability