French Navy’s Second BRF ‘Jacques Stosskopf’ Arrives at Toulon Naval Base

The French Navy’s second Jacques Chevallier-class replenishment tanker, BRF ‘Jacques Stosskopf’, has officially arrived at its new homeport in Toulon, southern France. This marks a significant milestone in France’s efforts to modernize and expand its naval logistics capabilities under the ongoing FLOTLOG program.

The ‘Jacques Stosskopf’, named after a renowned Alsatian naval engineer and Resistance fighter, is the second of four planned force supply ships (BRF) designed to extend the endurance and reach of the French Navy’s fleet during distant maritime operations.

Built at Saint-Nazaire by Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group, the vessel is part of a Franco-Italian collaboration led by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation), supporting both the French defence procurement agency (DGA) and Italy’s NAVARM. The design is derived from Italy’s Vulcano-class (LSS) ships.

Measuring 194 meters long and displacing 31,000 tonnes when fully loaded, the Jacques Stosskopf can carry 13,000 m³ of fuel, along with provisions, ammunition, and spare parts. It is equipped with four lateral transfer stations and refueling masts that allow it to supply two vessels at once, even in harsh sea conditions. These capabilities will significantly enhance operational autonomy for French carrier strike groups and other naval task forces.

The vessel comes with robust self-defense and communications systems, including:

• Two 40mm RAPIDFire naval guns by Thales and Nexter

• Two Simbad-RC VSHORAD systems from MBDA, now positioned on modified bridge wings for improved coverage

• The PASEO XLR optronic fire control system by Safran

• GE’s MV7000 propulsion systems

• The Polaris® Combat Management System

According to the French Navy, Jacques Stosskopf will now undergo further trials and crew training before officially entering full operational service by the end of 2025.

The first ship in the class, ‘Jacques Chevallier’, was delivered in 2023 and is already in service. The remaining two BRFs—‘Émile Bertin’ and ‘Gustave Zédé’—are scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2032, respectively.

The FLOTLOG logistics fleet forms a key part of France’s 2019–2025 Military Programming Law, ensuring long-range support and logistical resilience in future naval deployments. Each vessel also serves as a tribute to French maritime history, honoring engineers and naval figures who contributed to both science and national defense.

The arrival of Jacques Stosskopf in Toulon is more than just the delivery of a ship—it reflects a growing commitment to sustain France’s strategic autonomy and ability to project power across oceans, well beyond European waters.