DCNS

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DCNS (Direction des Constructions Navales Services) is a naval defence company based in France and is one of Europe's leading shipbuilders.

Contents 1 History 2 Major projects 2.1 Propulsion 2.2 Surface Vessels 2.3 Submarines 2.4 Weapons systems 3 See also 4 External links 5 References

[edit] History

Following 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 the 1990s, scandals erupted around management and accounting practices inside DCN. In naval arsenals such as that of Toulon, corruption and mismanagement of funds were discovered; high-level military officers and engineers were charged and put on trial. A 2001 report by the Cour des Comptes denounced haphazard accounting and handling of inventory.

In 1997, the French government decided to reform its shipbuilding and procurement system for naval systems. Design and procurement was separated from production; DCN retained the industrial side.

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 government announced plans to transform DCN into a regular company.

In 2002 DCN and Thales established the joint company Armaris to exploit their combined capabilities. This collaboration has 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 of 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 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]

On 4 April 2007, the newly-merged company unveiled itself as DCNS.^[2]

[edit] Major projects

[edit] Propulsion

• WR-21 Advanced gas turbine

[edit] Surface Vessels

• Clemenceau class aircraft carriers:
  • Clemenceau, launched in 1957
  • Foch, launched in 1960, later to serve with Brazil as São Paulo
• Foudre class landing platform docks:
  • Foudre, launched in 1988
  • Siroco, launched in 1996
• Charles De Gaulle, launched in 1992, France's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
• PA2 (Porte Avions 2) Future carrier - Proposed/under development
• Horizon class frigates:
  • Forbin, launched in 2005
  • Chevalier Paul, launched in 2006
• La Fayette class frigate and derivatives:
  • Al Riyahd (F3000S Sawari II) class frigates (Saudi Arabia)
  • Formidable class frigates (Singapore)
  • Kang Ding class frigates (Taiwan)

[edit] Submarines

Note: the nuclear power plants of the submarines are designed and maintained by the CEA (Atomic Energy Commission).

• Améthyste class SSN
• Barracuda class SSNs (Next generation SSN)
• Triomphant class SSBNs
• Scorpène class SSKs
• Agosta 90B class SSKs

[edit] Weapons systems

• SYLVER launchers
• Flight deck systems
• Submarine AAW
• Torpedoes

[edit] See also

• Ship-building

[edit] External links

• DCNS website

[edit] References

1. ^ The consolidation of naval activities in France between Thales and DCN is operational. DCNS. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
2. ^ DCN Becomes DCNS. DCNS. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.