The French Navy has commissioned its second La Confiance-class patrol vessel ‘La Résolue’ into active service during a September 28 ceremony in French Guiana.
Commissioned by French Navy chief Admiral Christophe Prazuck, La Résolue is joining sister ship La Confiance to boost French Navy presence in the region after P400 patrol ships La Capricieuse and La Gracieuse were retired.
The new ship and its 24 crew members arrived in their home port Degrad-des-Cannes, the main seaport for the French overseas territory, on July 31.
Prior to its arrival in French Guiana, La Résolue was christened on May 30 in Boulogne-sur-Mer where it was constructed by shipbuilder Socarenam, by Alicia Aylies, Miss France 2017.
Measuring 60.8 meters in length and displacing 750 tons, La Confiance-class ships are crewed by 24 sailors and can transport up to 38 people. Thanks to a draft of 3.2 meters, the patrol boats can operate in shallow waters of the West Indies.
In addition to patrolling the French exclusive economic zone, the ships will also be protecting the Guiana Space Centre, a French and European spaceport located to the northwest of Kourou.
The French Navy also has a third vessel in the class on order for the West Indies.