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FS Prairial (F731)

1992 MODERN NAVY

History

FS Prairial is part of the Floreal-class frigate group serving the modern French Navy. This class was established during the second half of the Cold War (1947-1991) to serve as a light surveillance/surveillance vessel when the greatest threat was still the mighty Soviet Union. A total of six ships in the class eventually Floreal, Prairial, Nivose, Ventose, Vendemiaire and Germinal were used by the French Navy, two of which were purchased by allies of Morocco (Mohammed V and Hassan II).

FS Prairial's home port is in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and today (2019) remains active in the French fleet??.

She was ordered in 1989 and placed by Chanters de l'Atlantique on September 11, 1990. The ship was launched on March 16, 1991 and officially commissioned on May 20, 1992.

When built, the Prairial displaces 2,865 tonnes (short) under load and 3,250 tonnes under full load. Dimensions include a barrel length of 307 feet, a beam of 46 feet and a draft of 14 feet. Power is provided by 4 SEMT-Pielstick 6PA6 L280 marine diesel engines connected to 3 Baudouin 12P15 2SR electrical systems and 1 Ulstein jet propulsion system.

2 x axle arrangement under the power drive stern.

All this allows the warship to reach speeds of 20 knots under ideal conditions and a combat range of 10,000 nautical miles at 15 knots cruise.

The outline of the ship includes a conventional layout with the main guns and turrets in the "A" position above the bow. Behind it is the middle section of the bridge, which contains an exposed main tower. Midship is the spherical radome, flat (closed) funnel and stern superstructure.

A full service hangar and helipad are built aft for single helicopter launch and recovery.

There were about 90 aircraft on board, including a modest wing contingent. The medium-lift Panther helicopter can be placed on the stern helipad. The aircraft can be equipped to perform a range of missions at sea, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), transportation, resupply, medical evacuation, and more, while also providing capability for critical over-the-horizon missions.

The interior of the ship can also accommodate a full crew of 35 Marines to support amphibious or humanitarian operations anywhere in the world.

The warship is equipped with an airborne sentinel radar system DRBV-21C (Mars), a Racal Decca RM1290 navigation unit and an inertial/GPS navigation system. ARBG-1A Saigon and Dagaie systems meet electronic warfare (EW) and deception requirements.

In addition to sensors and processing systems, Prairial has a modest combination of ballistic and missile weapons. This is guided by a single 100mm CADAM turret deck gun, supported by 2 x MM. 38 "Flying Fish" anti-missile launchers (ASM).

For close range defense work, crews can rely on 2 x 20mm Modele F. 2 cannons. Since the main role of this ship is surveillance and surveillance, her armament is somewhat limited compared to other modern frigates.

The ship's only major deployment was during INTERFET in East Timor as part of an Australia-led (UN flag) peacekeeping initiative. She was at the station from October to November 1999 (the conflict lasted from September 1999 to February 2000).