BPC a formidable “Swiss army knife”
(BRUXELLES2 in Toulon) Today I was able to discover the Diksmuide, the third BPC (projection and command building) put into service by the French Navy. A "formidable Swiss army knife" as the sailors proud of their brand new boat like to point out. And indeed, there is something to be seduced.
Imposing
Almost 200 meters long, 32 meters wide, a BPC remains imposing at the quay with its superimposed decks. And its autonomy - 11.000 miles (20.000 km) - allows it to cover different missions. The maximum speed of 18 knots is more than adequate.
In its bowels can accommodate 16 helicopters. And on the deck, 6 places are reserved to allow the landing of helicopters, attack (Caracal, Tigre...) or transport (Puma, NH90...) and 2 other lighter helicopters (Gazelle type ). A staff of 150 people - or even more - can take place with the different connection standards in use at national and NATO level. During Operation Harmattan in Libya, he was able to cover a good part of the Libyan coast in one night.
An onboard hospital, with 2 surgery rooms, onboard radio, even scanner, and around sixty beds. If necessary, it can be supplemented by the arrival of surgical elements or additional medical modules. A raft allowing the reception of several landing barges: — 4 if they are old CTM (material transport barges) or 2 for the most modern EDA-R (Rapid amphibious landing craft) — which ensure the amphibious capability of the ship. This may seem easy, at first. But the arrival of these ships in the ship requires a certain know-how. To "park" the EDA-R there are only 40 cms on each side. With a little swell, and the specific effect of waves in the apron, dexterity and composure are required...
Its main asset, however, remains in its shed which can lend itself to different jobs. According to the missions, it serves as a parking lot for the transport of vehicles (80 in all); can be transformed into a reception hall for the evacuation of nationals (1500 for a short period, 500 if the crossing is longer than one or two days) with the installation of spiked beds if necessary; or even allow the extension of the staff rooms or the on-board hospital, etc. The rooms themselves can be reconfigured as needed using removable partitions. In short, the ship adapts to circumstances and missions. This makes it particularly suitable for all kinds of missions: evacuation of nationals (Lebanon 2006), disaster relief (Haiti), command of a maritime operation, helicopter base (Harmattan), transport of troops and means of landing, training (Jeanne D'arc mission) etc.
Its fairly wide corridors allow many people to pass each other without getting in the way as stretchers pass. Its living structure is quite comfortable, for a warship. It is not too surprising that the Russians were seduced. The reason for the success of this is also due to its mode of design. At the operational level, it was designed by a mixed team of sailors and earthlings » ; certain details have thus been studied to allow the reception of the troops, like these drawers under the beds allowing the reception of personal weapons (Famas type).
At the industrial level, its design and construction have been borrowed from civilian ships: in particular construction by zones and assembly. This has made it possible to have a relatively modest cost for this type of vessel: approximately 400 million euros for the first (Mistral entered service in 2006 and Tonnerre commissioned in 2007), approximately 550 million euros for the Diksmuide (entered into service in 2012, with another engine and various additional fittings). The other side of the coin, it is not self-protected. And in a crisis zone, needs to be accompanied by frigates (anti-aircraft and/or anti-submarine...). Only two edge guns allow to fight against asymmetric threats, not to make naval warfare. That's not his role anyway.
Comment: This type of very modular equipment, adapted to a whole series of current conflicts or future threats seems very well suited to the new strategic deal. Probably better than some other equipment. We can even say that in the long term, this type of boat could replace an aircraft carrier, if the use of drones continues to develop and improve (nb: some experts will no doubt say, more or less rightly. But it's not the same thing at all. Simply, let's project ourselves in 10 or 20 years,... ).
