This is a list of active French Navy ships. The French Navy consists a total of 168 active ships out of which nearly 100 vessels of the Force d'action navale (Naval action force) and the 10 active submarines of the Forces sous-marines (Submarine force). Of these 168 ships, 30 could be considered "major" warships (10 submarines, 1 aircraft carrier, 3 amphibious ships, 16 destroyers/frigates). Primary assets include one nuclear aircraft carrier, 3 amphibious assault ships, 14 surface combatants of the "first rank": 2 Horizon-class destroyers, 8 Aquitaine-class frigates, 1 Amiral Ronarc'h-class frigates, and 3 of the 5 La Fayette-class general-purpose frigates (which have been upgraded to incorporate enhanced capabilities over those possessed by their two sister ships). The navy also deploys around 16 offshore patrol vessels (including six vessels classed as "surveillance frigates"). The surveillance frigates/offshore patrol vessels are supplemented by additional coast guard/Maritime Gendarmerie vessels. The surveillance frigates and a significant number of the patrol vessels are based in France's overseas territories.
The submarine force consists of five active nuclear attack submarines (plus one on sea trials) and four nuclear ballistic missile submarines.
Integral to supporting the Force d'Action Navale at sea are the French Navy's 3 replenishment oilers, approximately 20 mine countermeasure vessels, 8 offshore patrol/support & assistance vessels (four of which are based in France's overseas territories) and 6 support/pollution response ships. In addition to the above units, the Navy operates five survey vessels, four experimentation ships, four ocean tugboats, 14 training vessels as well as numerous smaller vessels and tugs.
The main base for French naval forces in the Atlantic is located at Brest while the principal base in the Mediterranean is Toulon.
The French Navy does not use the term "destroyer". While officially classed as "frigates", the larger major surface combatants of the first rank are nevertheless registered as destroyers (with hull numbers "Dxxx"; though, as of 2023, French Navy vessels are incrementally having hull numbers removed from display on all ships).
Source:
For a complete list of Bâtiments de soutien (Auxiliaries) see Bâtiments de soutien at the official Marine Nationale website.
Silhouettes of major fleet units: