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PIRIOU Shipyard Launched the Second B2M Multi Mission Vessel for the French Navy

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Naval Industry News - France
 
 
 
PIRIOU Shipyard Launched the Second B2M Multi Mission Vessel for the French Navy
 
The second D'Entrecasteaux class B2M (batiment multi-mission) vessel for the French Navy, Bougainville, was launched at Piriou shipyard in Brittany on February 26 2016. Kership (a joint Piriou DCNS company) won a contract award for 3 vessels of the class (with option for a fourth one) in December 2013.
     
The second D'Entrecasteaux class B2M (batiment multi-mission) vessel for the French Navy, Bougainville, was launched at Piriou shipyard in Brittany on February 26 2016. Kership (a joint Piriou DCNS company) won a contract award for 3 vessels of the class (with option for a fourth one) in December 2013.
B2M Bougainville vessel (B2M stands for Bâtiments MultiMissions meaning Multimission Vessel in French) Picture: French Navy
     

Sea trials are ongoing to test Bougainville and confirm its total adaptation to military needs, in view of its integration with the French Navy, scheduled for the end of 2016.

The B2M are intended to ensure overseas sovereignty missions, replacing light transport ships (BATRAL class). Bougainville is the second unit of a series of four. It will be based in Papeete, Tahiti to cover the French Polynesia area. Head of the class D’Entrecasteaux should enter operational service this Spring and will rally its base in Nouméa, New Caledonia.

The class has a top speed of 12 to 15 knots. They have a long endurance of approximately 30 days of operation without replenishment. They carry a work boat of about 8 metres long and semi-rigid boats, and will have a crane for loading and unloading containers. They will also be capable of deploying divers and carrying weapons and munitions.

According to the French Procurement Agency (DGA), these vessels:
- have the ability to project 20 personnel (joint, police or gendarmerie) with two 4x4 vehicles along with their weapons and ammunition.
- will ensure the evacuation of citizens and have the ability to deploy and support divers and equipment (including drones) to conduct underwater interventions.
- Under the state action at sea, they will provide fisheries police missions, and contribute to the fight against illegal immigration, drug trafficking and piracy.
- They will assist ships in distress and participate in safeguarding people and property, through their firefighting means and towing capacity of up to 30 tons