BRF “Jacques Chevallier” Crosses the Strait for the First Time

The newly launched supply and logistics support vessel BRF “Jacques Chevallier” (A 725), incorporated into the Marine Nationale, has crossed the Strait of Gibraltar for the first time heading east, marking its first foray into the Mediterranean, en route to the naval base in Toulon.

Built at the St. Nazaire shipyard, it was launched on April 29, 2022, and completed its sea trials with satisfactory results at the end of January 2023.

With a maximum displacement of 31,000 tons, it measures 194 m in length and 27.60 m in beam. It features MAN diesel-electric propulsion and maintains a speed of 20 knots with a range of 8,000 nautical miles.

This is the first of four vessels. The second ship in the series, to be named “Jacques Stosskopf,” is expected in the second half of 2025 and will also be based in Toulon, as will the third, named “Gustave Zédé,” scheduled for 2029. The fourth, named “Émile Bertin,” will be delivered in 2027 and assigned to the naval base in Brest.

The new vessel honors French engineer Jacques Chevallier, a pioneer in the field of nuclear propulsion for submarines, who not only promoted the construction of such vessels in France and was the chief designer of the reactors for the Le Redoutable class but also served as the general delegate for Armament (1986-1989) and was awarded the Legion of Honor.

Photo: Daniel Ferro