This website uses cookies to manage authentication, navigation, and other functions. By using our website, you agree that we can place these types of cookies on your device.

Read More

French Navy Air Defense Destroyer Chevalier Paul (D621) deploys to the Syrian coasts

Posted On
a
Naval Forces News - France, USA
 
 
 
French Navy Air Defense Destroyer Chevalier Paul (D621) deploys to the Syrian coasts
 
The French Navy is deploying one of its two Horizon class Air Defense Destroyers to the Eastern Mediterranean according to French weekly Le Point. The Chevalier Paul (D621) will join the four US Navy Guided Missile Destroyers and an undisclosed number of US and UK submarines already in the area. The role of the French Destroyer would be to provide air defense for the fleet, as well as air cover for coalition warplanes should they get involved in an air assault.
     
The French Navy is deploying one of its two Horizon class Air Defense Destroyers to the Eastern Mediteranean according to French weekly Le Point. The Chevalier Paul will join the four US Navy Guided Missile Destroyers and an undisclosed number of US and UK submarines already in the area. The role of the French Destroyer would be to provide air defense for the fleet, as well as air cover for coalition warplanes should they get involved in an air assault.
French Navy air defense Destroyer Chevalier Paul providing escort to USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the strait of Ormuz in February 2013
(pictures:U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released)
     
Horizon class Destroyers are advanced warships dedicated to air defense missions. They usually deploy with 32 Aster 30 missiles for long range interception and 16 Aster 15 missiles for medium range interception. The vessels are also fitted with 8 MM 40 Exocet Block III, the latest version of MBDA's anti-ship missile.
     
The French Navy is deploying one of its two Horizon class Air Defense Destroyers to the Eastern Mediterranean according to French weekly Le Point. The Chevalier Paul (D621) will join the four US Navy Guided Missile Destroyers and an undisclosed number of US and UK submarines already in the area. The role of the French Destroyer would be to provide air defense for the fleet, as well as air cover for coalition warplanes should they get involved in an air assault.
An Aster 30 surface to air missile is launched from the Chevalier Paul's VLS cell (file picture)
(picture: French navy)
     
To guide the missiles, Chevalier Paul is fitted with a powerful tri-dimensional radar capable of detecting targets more than 200 kilometers away. The main mission of this class of ship is the protection of aircraft carriers, capital ships or littoral infrastructures from threats coming from the air.
     
The French Navy is deploying one of its two Horizon class Air Defense Destroyers to the Eastern Mediterranean according to French weekly Le Point. The Chevalier Paul (D621) will join the four US Navy Guided Missile Destroyers and an undisclosed number of US and UK submarines already in the area. The role of the French Destroyer would be to provide air defense for the fleet, as well as air cover for coalition warplanes should they get involved in an air assault.
French Navy Chevalier Paul Air Defense Destroyer (Horizon Class) provides coastal fire support with its 76mm guns during Opération Harmattan (Odyssey Down) off Libya
(French Navy photo)
     
It is worth noting that during the campaign in Libya, Chevalier Paul conducted several coastal fire support missions with its two Oto Melara 76mm guns. This type of mission however is unlikely in Syria given the current context and because of the presence of advanced Russian made supersonic anti-ship missiles in the Syrian arsenal (P-800 Oniks).