- DCNS (company)
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DCNS (company) 
Type société anonyme Industry Defence Founded 1631 Founder(s) Cardinal de Richelieu Headquarters Paris, France Area served Naval Defence Industry Products Patrol Vessels, Corvettes, Frigates, Destroyers, LHD, Aircraft Carriers, Submarines (SSK, SSN, SSBN) Revenue € 2.406 billion in 2009 Owner(s) France: 73,98%
Thales: 25%
FCPE Actions DCNS: 1,01%
DCNS Actionnarat: <0,01%Employees 13,000 worldwide Website http://www.dcnsgroup.com DCNS (formerly the Direction Technique des Constructions Navales and the Direction des Constructions Navales) is a naval defence company based in France and is one of Europe's leading shipbuilders.
The group designs, builds and supports surface combatants, submarines, systems and equipments. DCNS is also expanding into new markets in civil nuclear energy, marine renewable energy and naval and industrial services.
Contents
History
DCNS has a heritage of 350 years. Major shipyards were built in France in Ruelle (1751), Nantes-Indret (1771), Lorient (1778) and, subsequently, in Cherbourg (1813). Others were to follow. As early as 1926, what we know as DCNS today already had all the facilities now owned by the Group in mainland France.
- During the Second World War, the French government had its military ships designed and built by the Direction des constructions navales (DCN), later incorporated into the military procurement agency Délégation générale pour l'armement (DGA).
- In 1997, the French government decided to reform its shipbuilding and procurement system for naval systems. Design and procurement were separated from production. DCN retained the industrial part.
- In 2000, DCN was transformed into a national service under the direct responsibility of the Minister of Defence, no longer under DGA. In 2001 the French government announced plans to transform DCN into a private company.
- In 2002, DCN and Thales established the joint company Armaris to exploit their combined capabilities. This collaboration improved DCN's weapons systems portfolio and increased Thales' business in shipbuilding. Armaris owns 50% of Horizon SAS, the development agency for the French/Italian Horizon frigate programme and 50% of EuroSysNav SAS, the primary contractor for the Horizon's combat system (including DCN's SYLVER launcher). Thales is at present working with BAE Systems on the contract for the Royal Navy's Future Carrier (CVF) and submitted a bid for the future French carrier in competition with DCN. However, in June 2002 DCN and Thales extended their collaboration by announcing that they will share the role of primary contractor for the French carrier project.
- On 29 March 2007, DCN and Thales finalised an agreement with the French government and consolidated their naval activities in France. DCN acquired all of Thales' French naval business, excluding its equipment activities, and became the sole shareholder of Armaris and MOPA2. Simultaneously, Thales acquired a 25% stake in DCN along with the French government, which retained a 75% stake.[1]
The acronym DCN has been replaced by a brand: DCNS.
Subsidiaries and Offices
DCNS has its head office in Paris, France. It has production and engineering sites in mainland France in Cherbourg, Brest, Lorient, Nantes-Indret, Ruelle, Toulon and Saint-Tropez.
It has subsidiaries in Brazil, Bulgaria, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. DCNS also has offices in Chile, Greece, Italy and Pakistan.
Projects
Frigates
- La Fayette class frigates and derivatives
Main article: La Fayette class frigate- Al Riyahd (F3000S Sawari II) Class Frigates (Saudi Arabia)
- Kang Ding Class Frigates (Taiwan)
- Formidable Class Frigates (Singapore)
- Horizon class frigates
Main article: Horizon class frigateThese frigates are designed to provide anti-air cover for carrier groups and local or extended cover against saturation missile attacks in severe electromagnetic environments. They feature anti-air weapons, including tens of Aster missiles in Sylver vertical launchers. The combat system includes a hull-mounted sonar, the SLAT anti-torpedo system, anti-ship missiles, lightweight torpedoes and an electronic warfare suite.
Horizon frigates are designed to accommodate a heavy helicopter (NH90, EH 101 or similar) and to conduct flight operations under a wide range of conditions. The French and Italian navies have ordered two Horizon frigates each.
- Forbin, launched in 2005. The Forbin is the first of the new Horizon anti-air type for the French Navy.
- Chevalier Paul, launched in 2006
- FREMM class frigates
Main article: FREMMFREMM is the most recent generation of European frigates.
- FM400 class frigates
A 4000-ton frigate design that is offered in four different configurations [2]
- A general-purpose frigate;
- An anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate;
- A land-attack frigate frigate; and
- An anti-air warfare (AAW) frigate.
- Gowind class corvettes
Main article: Gowind class corvette- Swordship class Warship
Main article: Swordship class warship- Ecoship
- applying eco-design to warships
Aircraft carriers
- Clemenceau class aircraft carriers
Main article: Clemenceau class aircraft carrier- Clemenceau, launched in 1957
- Foch, launched in 1960, later to serve with Brazil as São Paulo
- Charles De Gaulle nuclear aircraft carrier
Main article: Charles de Gaulle (R 91)The Charles de Gaulle, in service since late 2000, carries up to 40 aircraft — including Rafale multi-role combat aircraft and Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft — which can be launched at a rate of one every 30 seconds.
The automated Senit combat management system (CMS) controls all weapon systems, including the ship’s Aster self-defence missiles. The communications suite includes Link 16 tactical datalinks for interoperability with NATO forces.
- PA2 (Porte Avions 2) Future Aircraft Carrier
Main article: Future French aircraft carrierAmphibious ships
- Foudre class LPD
Main article: Foudre class landing platform dock- launched in 1988
- launched in 1996
- Mistral class amphibious assault ship
Main article: Mistral class amphibious assault shipThe Mistral class is a class of three amphibious assault ships, also known as a helicopter carrier, of the French Navy. Russia has announced its intention to purchase one such vessel.
Submarines
- Redoutable class submarine
Main article: Redoutable class submarine (1967)The Redoutable class submarine is a ballistic missile submarine class of the French Marine Nationale . The first submarine, Redoutable, was ordered in 1963, built at Cherbourg, launched in 1967 and commissioned in 1971. The sixth, and last, Inflexible was retired in 2008.
- Triomphant class submarine
Main article: Triomphant class submarineA new class of nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines, the largest ever built in France. Four ships make up the class, Triomphant, Téméraire, Vigilant and Terrible.
- Rubis class submarine
Main article: Rubis class submarine- Barracuda class submarines
Main article: Barracuda class submarinesThe Barracuda program is scheduled to replace the Rubis-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SNA) with six new-generation submarines, providing the French navy with a powerful asset for the control of maritime areas and the projection of naval power. The first Barracuda-class submarine will be delivered in 2017, and the subsequent vessels will be delivered at the rate of one every two years. The six new submarines will be christened Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, Dupetit-Thouars, Duquesne, Tourville and De Grasse.
- Agosta & Agosta 90B class SSKs
Main article: SSK Agosta 90B- Agosta (S 620) - completed 1977 - decommissioned 1997
- Bévéziers (S 621) - completed 1977 - decommissioned 1998
- La Praya (S 622) - completed 1978 - decommissioned 2000
- Ouessant (S 623) - completed 1978 - decommissioned 2001
The Agosta 90B, also known as the Khalid Class, is a modernised design built for the Pakistan Navy. Various modifications give lower acoustic signature, lower diving depth, improved battery range and performance. Greater automation also allows the crew to be reduced from 54 to 36. The submarine can be armed with up to 16 torpedoes and SM39 Exocet anti-ship anti-ship missiles.[3] The SM39 was test-fired from a Khalid-class submarine in 2001.[4] - PNS/M Khalid (S137) - built in France by DCN Cherbourg, completed in 1999 - PNS/M Saad (S138) - built in Pakistan with French assistance, completed in 2002 - PNS/M Hamza (S139) - built in Pakistan, commissioned 14 August 2006
- Scorpene Class SSK
Main article: Scorpène class submarineThe Chilean Navy ordered two Scorpène. The Chilean Scorpène class O'Higgins and Carrera were completed in 2005 and 2006, respectively, and are currently in operation.[5] The Royal Malaysian Navy ordered two while the Indian Navy ordered six. All Indian boats will be built in India at Mazagon Dock Limited. In 2009, the Brazilian Navy ordered four Scorpene. A fifth hull has been ordered to be fitted with an indigenously developed nuclear propulsion plant.
Equipped with the MESMA air-independent propulsion system, a Scorpene can remain submerged for periods in excess of 3 weeks.
- Andrasta class submarine
Main article: Andrasta (Submarine)Suited to special operations or information-gathering assignments. No Andrasta has yet been ordered.
BRAVE
In December 2010, DCNS presented a design for a multipurpose support vessel (and replenishment tanker) called BRAVE, for Bâtiment RAVitailleur d'Escadre.[6]
Other
- Flight deck systems
- Submarine AAW
- Torpedoes
Civil Nuclear Engineering
Marine renewable energy
See also
- Ship-building
- Navantia
- Amaris kickbacks investigation
References
- ^ Jane's World Defence : DCNS (France), West Europe
- ^ "FM 400 Family: Combat Flexible Frigate". 2011-01-20. http://www.dcnsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/60913.pdf. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
- ^ http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/agosta/
- ^ http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/english/200103/11/eng20010311_64677.html
- ^ http://www.armada.cl/prontus_armada/site/artic/20090129/pags/20090129192934.html
- ^ "DCNS presents new-generation support vessels". 2010-12-15. http://www.defpro.com/news/details/20570/. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
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