Home  /  News  /  Floating ceremony of LSS Jacques Chevallier in Saint Nazaire shipyard

May 3 2022

Floating ceremony of LSS Jacques Chevallier in Saint Nazaire shipyard

On Friday 29th April 2022, the LSS programme has achieved an important milestone with the floating of the first FL[1] LSS “Jacques Chevallier” in Saint-Nazaire Shipyard. Upon invitation of “Chantiers de l’Atlantique” CEO Mr. Laurent Castaing, and Naval Group CEO Mr. Pierre-Eric Pommelet, the OCCAR Director Mr. Matteo Bisceglia attended a dedicated ceremony alongside Operations Director of the “Direction Générale de l’Armement” (DGA) Eng. Gen. François Pintart, and Commander of the French Naval Action Force V.Adm. Xavier Baudouard.

The Franco-Italian Logistic Support Ship (LSS) Programme is led by OCCAR on behalf of DGA, the French Armament General Directorate, and its Italian counterpart, NAVARM. LSS comprises the development and the production of 6 ships (2 for Italy and 4 for France) along with in-service support. France integrated LSS cooperation to fulfil its FLOTLOG programme needs and OCCAR notified the contract to the temporary consortium between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group for the four FL LSS units in January 2019. While the production of the first unit started in 2020, the FLLSS detailed design phase was completed in 2021.

This first of class ship, namely “Jacques Chevallier”, was assembled in less than 4 months and is afloat three years after contract notification. LSS “Jacques Chevallier” will now undergo the remaining integration and outfitting activities, and is expected to be delivered to the French Navy in 2023.

As stated by OCCAR Director in his speech during the “Jacques Chevallier” floating ceremony “the LSS Programme is, among other programme such as FREMM, the clear demonstration that with strength, strongwill, energy and commitment, OCCAR, Nations and Industry can make great achievements under the umbrella of the European Defence Cooperation”.

“Jacques Chevallier” was a naval Engineer. He was a pioneer in the nuclear propulsion field for French submarines and assumed the role of “Délégué Général pour l’Armement” from 1986 until 1989; some of his family members attended the ceremony on 29th April, giving the opportunity to the OCCAR Director to salute them with all the respects due to his memory.

[1] FL LSS “Jacques Chevallier” Floating final assembly kick-off ceremony

© Chantiers de l’Atlantique

If you want to learn more about the LSS programme, please visit its website.