Jacques Chevallier-class (BRF)

The Bâtiments ravitailleurs de forces (BRF), or Jacques Chevallier class, is a series of fleet tankers designed to replace the Durance-class vessels in French Navy service. Initiated under the 2009–2014 military procurement law as the "Flotte logistique" (FLOTLOG) program, the replacement was prompted by the age of the Durance-class hulls and their lack of safety-compliant double hulls. Naval Group initially proposed the BRAVE design, but this project was abandoned after Fincantieri acquired STX France. The French Navy subsequently based the new class on the Italian Vulcano-class logistic support ship. In January 2019, the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) contracted Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Naval Group to construct four units.

The vessels are built at Saint-Nazaire by Chantiers de l'Atlantique, utilizing floating forward hull sections constructed by Fincantieri in Italy. Designed for logistic support, the ships feature diesel-electric propulsion and are configured for the underway replenishment of naval vessels. Defensive armament consists of 40CT cannon systems and Simbad-RC short-range surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missile systems firing Mistral Mk3 missiles. The installation on the lead ship of the class represents the first deployment of the Simbad-RC system variant within the French Navy.

The lead vessel, Jacques Chevallier, had its first steel cut in May 2020, was launched in April 2022, and began sea trials in December 2022. It conducted its initial underway replenishments for the frigate Chevalier Paul and the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in March 2023, before formal delivery in July 2023. Between October 2023 and February 2024, the vessel completed an operational deployment to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It formally entered service in November 2024. In May 2026, Jacques Chevallier operated in the Indian Ocean as part of the carrier strike group accompanying Charles de Gaulle.

The second ship, Jacques Stosskopf, commenced construction with steel cutting in February 2022, was launched in August 2024, and was delivered in November 2025. In early 2026, the vessel completed a long-term deployment to the Far North, the West Indies, and the Pacific prior to entering formal service in May 2026.

The third vessel, Émile Bertin, began construction in December 2023, was launched in April 2026, and is scheduled for delivery in 2027 to be based at Brest. Construction of the fourth ship, Gustave Zédé, was delayed beyond 2030, with delivery scheduled for 2032 to join the first two ships based at Toulon.