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The MN Duperré (D633) in Brest in 1993.
The T53-class were the second group of destroyers built for the French Navy after World War II. These ships were a modified version of the T47-class destroyers. The main difference with the preceding ships was the provision of improved air warning and tracking radars as well as an anti-submarine mortar. The ships were built between 1957 and 1958 and were decommissioned in the late 1970s or early 1980s. A single modified ship La Galissonnière was built as a trials ship for a new generation of French weapons. This ship was designated as the T56-class.
Modifications[]
In 1972–73 two of the class were substantially modified:
- Duperré was completely rearmed with a Model 1968 100 mm main gun, four Exocet MM38 missiles, two quadruple L5 torpedo launchers, and two 20 mm AA cannon. She was also fitted with a helipad to carry a Lynx WG13 helicopter.
- Forbin had her forward 57 mm turret removed, and her aft 127 mm turret was replaced by a helipad. She was then principally used as a naval aviation training ship alongside the helicopter cruiser Jeanne d'Arc.
Unit Run[]
- MN Duperré (D633)
- MN La Bourdonnais (D634)
- MN Forbin (D635)
- MN Tartu (D636)
- MN Jauréguiberry (D637)
- MN La Galissonnière (D638)