La marina francese valuterà una pattuglia di combattimento veloce CB90 prestata dalle forze svedesi

>In June 2024, accompanied by the multi-mission frigate [FREMM] Auvergne, the Atlantic Mine Clearance Divers Base Ship [BBPD] Styx, the amphibious helicopter carrier [PHA] Mistral was mobilized to participate in the Baltops exercise, organized every year by NATO in the Baltic Sea.

>The PHA had embarked a Level 1 amphibious group [GA1], formed by elements of the 9th Marine Infantry Brigade, the 6th Light Armored Brigade and the 4th Air Combat Brigade. These assets had been reinforced by an S-100 aerial drone from the 36F flotilla and by a section of marine riflemen.

>The first week of Baltops 2024 was dedicated to Franco-Swedish training. On this occasion, the marines and soldiers of GA1 carried out “landings” using a CB90 Combat Boat speedboat provided by the Swedish Navy. “These operations made it possible to study several configurations in the PHA’s hull and thus the Mistral’s force projection capability,” the Ministry of the Armed Forces explained at the time.

>Not having a CB90 [or equivalent capacity], this exercise has clearly ended up convincing the French Navy to take a closer interest in it.

>A year later, after maneuvering through the Norwegian fjords and heading for the Baltic as part of the Jeanne d’Arc 2025 mission, the PHA Mistral took on a CB90, loaned by the Swedish Navy. This is what the latter announced via its social networks.

>”Earlier this summer, the Swedish Navy trained French officers and sailors on the CB90. This warship will now be tested by our allies for an extended period in southern latitudes,” she said. “In this way, we are passing on valuable knowledge to our allies that will be useful for the future defense of our common interests,” she added.

>Designed by Saab, the CB90 can quickly transport half a platoon of marine infantry [eighteen men] to a landing beach. With a displacement of 24.5 tons [fully loaded], it can travel at a maximum speed of 40 knots, thanks to two 900 hp diesel engines, supplemented by two waterjets. Highly maneuverable and robust, it can travel 300 nautical miles, traveling at 38 knots. Finally, it can be armed with 12.7 mm machine guns, which can be remotely operated.

>Apparently, the experiments that the French Navy intends to conduct with the CB90 will only concern amphibious operations. Unless it is a matter of finding an alternative to the Vedettes de fusiliers marins [VFM], the order for which was cancelled last year, despite the delivery of the first two units [Bir Hakeim and Laffaux].

>Indeed, the concept of the VFM is relatively close to that of the CB90 [top speed of 40 knots, displacement of 15 tonnes, weapons carriage, etc.]. However, it was designed to escort the “precious” units of the French Navy as well as to monitor and protect the approaches to military ports and not to “project” porpoises.

The CB90 is a late 1980s design. There are also newer and more modern boats available for a similar role, like the Finnish Jehu.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehu-class_landing_craft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehu-class_landing_craft)

Fine. We will send several dozen long boats, ahem, combat boats up the Seine to Paris again.