Official launch of the LSS FLOTLOG Programme production phase

The French Minister for the Armed Forces, Mme Florence Parly, took a tour of selected Defence Industry sites in the Loire-Atlantique region on Monday 18 May 2020. This particular region hosts a large number of key strategic Industrial stakeholders such as Airbus or Naval Group.

This tour intended to promote, support and publicize the French Government comprehensive National plan for the “restart and relaunch of Industrial activities” in the French territory. The Minister for the Armed Forces leads the Defence Industry folder of the plan, quite naturally.

Artist’s impression of the FL LSS First of Class “Jacques Chevallier” © Chantiers de l'Atlantique

As far as of Naval Defence Industrial activities are concerned, the choice of Loire-Atlantique is obvious. Saint-Nazaire holds the “Chantiers de l’Atlantique” production sites where the LSS will be assembled, MAN Diesel and, less than 150 kilometres away, in Lorient, Naval Group. OCCAR, as Contracting Authority of the LSS Programme, has a small but remarkable footprint in the shipyard since its opening of a satellite office in June 2019 in Saint-Nazaire.

The LSS-shaped steel plating © Chantiers de l’Atlantique

While in Saint Nazaire, Mrs. Parly had the opportunity to discuss with “Chantiers de l’Atlantique” top-level management of present (FL LSS) and future Naval Programmes (French next generation Aircraft carrier). She also led the first "steel cutting ceremony” of the FLL LSS, marking the official launch of the production of the First of Class (FOC) and unveiled the  LSS series' baptism names. As a matter of fact, the FL LSS, also known as “Batiment Ravitailleur de Forces” in Navy terminology, will be named after four renowned French Armament Engineers: Jacques Chevallier, Jacques Stosskopf, Emile Bertin and Gustave Zédé.

From left to right: Adm. Christophe Prazuck (French Navy) – Mrs Florence Parly (French Armed Forces) – Mr. Laurent Castain (Chantiers de l’Atlantique) © Chantiers de l'Atlantique

During her speech, Mme. Parly recognised the work of OCCAR stating "I'd like to deeply thank the teams of the DGA and OCCAR that manages this programme and have allowed to keep the schedule on track".

For more information on the LSS programme, please visit our web.