On 16 January 2026, the force replenishment ship (BRF) Jacques Stosskopf set sail for its long-term deployment, which is an important step towards its admission to active service by the French Navy.
The long-term deployment of the Jacques Stosskopf, named in honor of the marine engineer who was a member of the Resistance during the Second World War, will last several months.
An integral part of the process of admission to active service by the French Navy, this deployment corresponds to the second stage of the “verification of military capabilities” phase following the period of operational readiness of the BRF crew.
The Jacques Stosskopf will pass through the Far North, then the West Indies to the Pacific to test its capabilities in various maritime environments, but also to develop the interoperability of this new type of vessel with our partners and allies in the areas it crosses. This period at sea, carried out far away, for a long time and with a crew, allows the BRF and its systems to be put to the test, and the sailors to take greater ownership of this equipment.
Focus on force supply ships
The BRFs are multi-purpose and strategic ships, the keystone of our strategic autonomy, by allowing France to have an oceanic Navy. Their central missions are to support the carrier strike group around the aircraft carrier, to support the oceanic component of the nuclear deterrent and to participate in the support of inter-allied operations by developing our interoperability. They will replace command and supply ships by significantly improving their cargo and fuel carrying capabilities, as well as their tactical capabilities. Capable of supplying more than 13,000 m³ of fuel and 1500 tonnes of cargo, the BRF participates in the development of the tactical situation and can be deployed autonomously in areas subject to asymmetric or residual threats