A new giant Navy ship was launched into the sea and promises to expand France's naval power; the Émile Bertin is scheduled to be delivered in 2027.

A new giant Navy ship was launched into the sea and promises to expand France’s naval power; the Émile Bertin is scheduled to be delivered in 2027.

Written by Ruth Rodrigues

Published on 23/04/2026 at 17:59

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The support ship Émile Bertin was launched in Saint-Nazaire. Learn how the third unit of the LSS program will reinforce the French Navy starting in 2027.

The city of Saint-Nazaire, France, was the scene of a strategic advance for European defense on April 17. The Émile Bertin, the newest French fleet logistic support ship, was launched at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard.

The vessel represents the third unit delivered to France within the bilateral LSS (Logistic Support Ships) program, coordinated by the OCCAR agency.

The central objective of this project is to ensure that naval squadrons can operate on prolonged missions without the need to return to port, offering continuous support in fuel, supplies, and technical assistance.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Deadlines and expectations for delivery in 2027

Although the launch is an impressive visual milestone, the support ship still has a long technical schedule ahead.

From now on, the Émile Bertin enters an intensive stage of internal finishing and high-tech system integration.

The work plan is rigorous to ensure the vessel is ready for active service in the coming years.

According to the forecasts of the authorities involved in the project:

Current Phase: System integration and functionality tests.

Departure from Saint-Nazaire: Scheduled for 2027, bound for the Brest base.

Receipt by OCCAR: Scheduled for mid-summer 2027.

Full Operation: The ship is expected to reinforce European naval interoperability soon after formal delivery.

The structure of the Franco-Italian support ship program

The development of this class of vessels is the result of a robust contract managed by OCCAR for the benefit of the French and Italian navies.

In total, the plan foresees the delivery of six logistic units, with the Émile Bertin being the fifth overall vessel in the program and the third exclusively for the French fleet.

The support ship Émile Bertin was launched in Saint-Nazaire. Learn how the third unit of the LSS program will reinforce the French Navy starting in 2027. Source: Poder Naval

Before it, the Italian ships Vulcano and Atlante, as well as the French Jacques Chevallier and Jacques Stosskopf, had already been delivered.

The success of this series demonstrates the efficiency of industrial cooperation between Naval Group and the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, which manage to maintain the necessary construction pace to modernize the logistical support of Europe’s surface forces.

Tribute to a pioneer and international connections

The name of the support ship is a direct reference to Émile Bertin (1840–1924), an engineer who revolutionized French and international naval construction.

He was responsible for the creation of the Paris hydrodynamic tank and played a crucial role in the development of the Japanese navy during the Meiji Era.

The constant progress of the program demonstrates confidence in the industry’s performance in the remaining finishing phases, highlighted Darren Ash, OCCAR-EA program manager, during the event.

The support ship Émile Bertin was launched in Saint-Nazaire. Learn how the third unit of the LSS program will strengthen the French Navy from 2027. Ship image: Chantiers De L’atlantique

This historical connection with the Asian country was celebrated during the launch with the presence of representatives from the Japanese embassy.

The ceremony brought together prominent figures, such as Laurent Castaing (CEO of the shipyard) and Vincent Martinot-Lagarde (Naval Group), as well as high-ranking officers from the French Navy and the defense procurement agency (DGA).

Operational importance for the French Navy

With the arrival of the Émile Bertin, the French Navy gains a vital resource for global power projection.

In addition to transporting fuel and cargo, these ships are designed to act as true mobile maintenance centers.

They allow frigates and other combat ships to perform simultaneous repairs and refuelings in the open ocean, ensuring that naval presence is constant and effective in areas of strategic interest.

Source: Poder Naval

A new giant Navy ship was launched into the sea and promises to expand France’s naval power; the Émile Bertin is scheduled to be delivered in 2027.

The support ship Émile Bertin was launched in Saint-Nazaire. Learn how the third unit of the LSS program will reinforce the French Navy starting in 2027.

Deadlines and expectations for delivery in 2027

The structure of the Franco-Italian support ship program

Tribute to a pioneer and international connections

Operational importance for the French Navy

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A new giant Navy ship was launched into the sea and promises to expand France’s naval power; the Émile Bertin is scheduled to be delivered in 2027.

The support ship Émile Bertin was launched in Saint-Nazaire. Learn how the third unit of the LSS program will reinforce the French Navy starting in 2027.

Deadlines and expectations for delivery in 2027

The structure of the Franco-Italian support ship program

Tribute to a pioneer and international connections

Operational importance for the French Navy

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BRICS is preparing a payment system inspired by the Brazilian PIX that will allow direct transactions between countries using national digital currencies without relying on the dollar or Western banks as intermediaries.

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