Force océanique stratégique
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The Strategic Ocean Force (french: Force océanique stratégique, FOST) has been the synonym of the French Submarine Forces since 1999, which the commandant commands the ensemble related to, along with the squadron of nuclear
attack submarine An attack submarine or hunter-killer submarine is a submarine specifically designed for the purpose of attacking and sinking other submarines, surface combatants and merchant vessels. In the Soviet and Russian navies they were and are called ...
(french: Escadrille des Sous-Marins Nucléaires d'Attaque, ESNA). The French Strategic Ocean Force Command ALFOST was set up in 1972 under a Squadron Vice-Admiral.


Generality

The Strategic Ocean Force (french: Force océanique stratégique, FOST), created on March 1 1972, constitutes the principal composite of the Strategic French Nuclear Forces (french: Force de dissuasion Nucléaire Française, FNS). FOST has been placed under the command of a Squadron Vice-Admiral (Officers of Admiral rank) (french: L'Officier général de marine), hence the acronym ALFOST. With the dissolution of the Attack Submarine Group of the Atlantic, ultimate formation regrouping submarines with conventional propulsion, on July 1 1999, the strategic force regroups the ensemble of French submarines.


Force de dissuasion

The ''Strategic Force'' was born after the
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
from the will of général
de Gaulle Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle (; ; (commonly abbreviated as CDG) 22 November 18909 November 1970) was a French army officer and statesman who led Free France against Nazi Germany in World War II and chaired the Provisional Governm ...
to possess a nuclear arm. The French Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines armed with Submarine-launched ballistic missiles, in relation to their discretion in the various oceanic patrol zones, ensure a guaranteed retaliatory nuclear strike (second strike). Since 1985, the strategy of nuclear deterrence in France armed six French Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines in service, five in service since 1991, and four since 1997; maintaining a permanent presence around the
Ocean The ocean (also the sea or the world ocean) is the body of salt water that covers approximately 70.8% of the surface of Earth and contains 97% of Earth's water. An ocean can also refer to any of the large bodies of water into which the wo ...
s and Seas. Deterrence is ensured in 2014 by the permanent deployment of the French Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines of the Triomphant-class. Between 1972 and April 2014, hundreds of patrols were realized. The first submarine class of French Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines in service was the Le Redoutable-class, the head of the series, which was put in dry-docks under authorization in March 1963, with construction commencing in 1964 and was launched on March 29 1967 in presence of
President of France The president of France, officially the president of the French Republic (french: Président de la République française), is the executive head of state of France, and the commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces. As the presidency i ...
Charles de Gaulle. Trials of the latter commenced in 1969 and the boat entered into service on December 1 1971. Six French nuclear ballistic missile submarines of the ''Le Redoutable'' class capable of carrying sixteen ballistic missiles were built: * ''Le Redoutable'' (in service 1971-1991) * ''Le Terrible'' (1973-1996) * ''Le Foudroyant'' (1974-1998) * ''L'Indomptable'' (1976-2003)'' L'Indomptable'' * ''Le Tonnant'' (1980-1999) * ''L'Inflexible'' (1985-2008) Four French nuclear ballistic missile submarines of a newer generation, the ''Le Triomphant'' class, are in service in 2013 in the force océanique stratégique of the
French Navy The French Navy (french: Marine nationale, lit=National Navy), informally , is the maritime arm of the French Armed Forces and one of the five military service branches of France. It is among the largest and most powerful naval forces in t ...
: * ''Le Triomphant'' (S616) (entered in service since 1997) * ''Le Téméraire'' (S617) (entered into service since 1999) * ''Le Vigilant'' (S618) (entered into service since 2004) * ''Le Terrible'' (S619) (entered into service since 2010). '' Le Terrible'' was presented on March 21 2008, and entered service at the end of September 2010 to replace the '' L'Inflexible'', last of the retrieved ''Le Redoutable'' class ballistic missile submarine in 2008. The armament systems of the ballistic missile submarines include in general: * 16 missiles M45 with TN 75 heads (nuclear deterrence). French Nuclear deterrence also includes
M51 M51 or M-51 may refer to: * M-51 (Michigan highway), a state highway in Michigan * M51 highway (Russia) * M51 (Cape Town), a Metropolitan Route in Cape Town, South Africa * M51 Skysweeper, an anti-aircraft gun * M51 MACI mine * M51 SLBM, a Fre ...
missiles. * 4 tubes of 533mm for F17 torpedoes and
Exocet The Exocet () is a French-built anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface vessels, submarines, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Etymology The missile's name was given by M. Guillot, then the technical director ...
SM39
anti-ship missiles An anti-ship missile (AShM) is a guided missile that is designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea skimming variety, and many use a combination of inertial guidance and active radar homing. A good ...
. The mission of a French Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine is simple: leave the designated port of attachment, in the most discreet possible way, remain undetectable all along the mission to be able at any moment launch a nuclear strike, under orders of the
President of France The president of France, officially the president of the French Republic (french: Président de la République française), is the executive head of state of France, and the commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces. As the presidency i ...
.


See also

*
Chief of Staff of the French Navy The Chief of the Naval Staff (French: Chef d’état-major de la Marine, acronym: CEMM) is a French general officer, adviser to the Chief of the Defence Staff for the French Navy and responsible to the Minister of the Armed Forces for preparing ...
*
French Navy The French Navy (french: Marine nationale, lit=National Navy), informally , is the maritime arm of the French Armed Forces and one of the five military service branches of France. It is among the largest and most powerful naval forces in t ...
**
French Naval Aviation French Naval Aviation (often abbreviated in French to: ''Aéronavale'' (contraction of Aéronautique navale), or ''Aviation navale'', or more simply ''l'Aéro'') is the naval air arm of the French Navy. The long-form official designation is ' ...
**
List of Escorteurs of the French Navy The ''escorteurs'' of the French Navy were light naval warships used for convoy protection during and after the Second World War. The earliest escorteurs in the French Navy were purchased from the British Royal Navy and the United States Navy. A ...
**
List of submarines of France The submarines of France include nuclear attack submarines and nuclear ballistic missile submarines of various classes, operated by the French Navy as part of the French Submarine Forces. Each French Navy vessel, including French submarines have ...
* French Air Force ** Strategic Air Forces Command


References


Notes


Bibliographies

Y.Cariou, FOST Force Océanique Stratégique, Marines Editions, 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:Force oceanique strategique French naval components Nuclear weapons program of France