FOCH

The Foch (R 99) is a French classic-propelled aircraft carrier from the Cold War period. The keel for this unit was laid in 1957, it was launched in July 1960, and it was commissioned for service in the French Marine Nationale in 1963. The full displacement of the ship at the time of launching was approximately 32,800 tons, length - 265 meters, with a total width of 51 meters. The maximum speed was up to 32 knots. The Foch was armed at the time of launch with 8 single 100mm cannons. Aviation equipment consisted of about 40 aircraft, such as Super Etendard or F-8E Crusader. Foch (R 99) was the second and final Clemenceau-class aircraft carrier. Ships of this class were developed to replace the Royal Navy and US Navy aircraft carriers after 1945. They were also to provide the necessary air cover for the activities of the French fleet. The construction of these units was also carried out for prestigious reasons and expressed France's desire for military independence - still - within NATO. Foch (R 99), after entering service, was intensively used in various types of missions. In 1966 he participated in the French nuclear tests in the Pacific. In 1978, he was stationed in the Red Sea in the Djibouti region, and in 1983-1984 he supported the French troops operating in Lebanon. During its service, the Foch (R 99) was also modernized, e.g. four 100 mm cannons were replaced by Crotale missile launchers. In 2000, the aircraft carrier Foch (R 99) was withdrawn from service in the French Navy and sold to Brazil, where it served until 2017.