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| Career (France) |  |
|---|---|
| Namesake: | Robert Surcouf |
| Laid down: | 6 July 1992 |
| Launched: | 3 July 1993 |
| Commissioned: | 7 February 1997 |
| Honours and awards: |
Flies the FFL jack in honour of the submarine Surcouf |
| Fate: | In active service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | La Fayette class |
| Displacement: | 3200 tonnes, 3600 tonnes fully loaded |
| Length: | 125 m |
| Beam: | 15.4 m |
| Draught: | 4,8 m |
| Propulsion: | 4 diesel SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2, 21000 hp (15 400 kW) |
| Speed: | 25 knots (46 km/h) |
| Range: | 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h), 9000 at 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Complement: |
12 officers |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
1 x Air/Surface DRBV 15C sentry radar |
| Electronic warfare and decoys: |
1 x Saïgon ARBG 1 radio interceptor |
| Armament: |
1 x 100 mm TR automatic gun |
| Armour: | munition magazine and control centre |
| Aircraft carried: | 1 x 10-tonne helicopter (Panther or NH90) |
The Surcouf (F711) is a La Fayette-class frigate of the French Navy. She was laid down at Lorient Naval Dockyard on July 6, 1992, launched July 3, 1993, and commissioned May 1996.
Since its commission, Surcouf has taken part in numerous missions, notably in Operation Antilope (Gabon and Congo), Operation Trident (Kosovo) and Mission Khor Anga in the Djibouti zone.
On 14 May 2001, Surcouf had to assist Marc Guillemot skipper of the Biscuits La Trinitaine-Team Ethypharm, who had to abandon his ship after her starboard floater broke. The Panther helicopter of Surcouf successfully airlifted the 5-men crew of the catamaran.
On 14 October 2004, the Surcouf assisted the Sara 2, a Panamanian cargo ship which ran aground near Yemen. The 16-man crew was successfully airlifted by the Panther helicopter, and later transferred from the frigate to Yemanite coast guards.
Photographs
 Inside of the forward deck of the Surcouf |
 The Surcouf in Toulon; the helicopter is clearly visible on the aft |
 The helicopter pad; the Crotale missile launcher is well visible on the top of the helicopter hangar. |
 Stealth frigate Surcouf and Courbet |
 Surcouf (bottom left) with ships from five countries during Operation Enduring Freedom |
