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FS Colbert (C611)

1959 COLD WAR

FS Colbert (C611) History

Like other continental European powers in the post-World War II world, France faces a long road to rebuilding its once-dominant military presence. This led to a huge period of development and construction of various armed forces, including the navy. In 1953, the French government ordered a new cruiser with air defense capabilities. Its keel was laid at the Brest shipyard in December 1953.

The ship, named Colbert (C611) after Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683), set sail on March 24, 1956, and sailed in 1959 Commissioned on May 5th.

Anti-aircraft warships became quite important during World War II (1939-1945), when surface ships armed with rapid-fire guns proved extremely useful as protectors of naval and area defenses. With missile technology still in its relative infancy, it fell to anti-aircraft warships to provide the necessary shielding against incoming air threats.

The Colbert was one such warship, and immediately set about supplying the rebuilding French Navy with powerful floating anti-aircraft batteries.

When built, she has a crew of 562 and can carry an additional 2,400 under pressure. The ship displaces 11,000 tons (length) under load, has an overall length of 592 feet, a beam of 66.7 feet, and a draft of up to 25.10 feet. Armament includes 16 x 127mm anti-aircraft guns (8 x twin mounts) and 20 x 57mm Mod 51 anti-aircraft guns (10 x twin mounts).

A single helipad was located above the stern - a new quality is now being fitted to French warships of the time. The arrangement on board enables the warship to serve as the flagship and command ship of the fleet.

Power comes from 2 x CEM Parsons geared steam turbines rated at 86,000 hp, 2 x shafts. This increases the boat's speed to 31 knots and a range of 4,000 nautical miles. The engines are arranged in two separate compartments, each associated with its own boiler unit and geared turbine unit.

A watertight bulkhead separates the two compartments, improving the ship's ability to use one engine if one is destroyed by enemy fire.

The shape of the Colbert is characterized by a very forward bridge design, with high masts mounted only aft. Midship is the funnel, and behind them is another mast and stepped superstructure leading to the flat section of the helideck. This mat can support a helicopter.

Colbert entered service with the French fleet in 1959, and after reorganization in 1964 became part of the Mediterranean Squadron based in Toulon. The progressive nature of enemy aircraft during this period, especially Soviet bombers (and anti-ship missiles), made their full-gun armament obsolete.

This led to additional work on her in the early 1970s to convert it into a dedicated guided missile cruiser.

Modernization efforts have resulted in their weapons kit including 4 x MM-38 Exocet anti-ship missiles, 1 x "Masurca" surface-to-air missile system (SAM), 2 x 100mm AA guns, 12 x 57mm -Mod 51 with anti-aircraft gun and 2 x 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine guns. Her active duty crew was reduced to 560, and her bridge superstructure was rebuilt. An upgraded radar system was installed and a 6.705 generator was added to meet the increased power demands.

Her control room has also been updated for the new technologically advanced battlefield.

Beginning in 1976, the Colbert was the flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron and underwent a second major overhaul from 1981 to 1982 - with the aim of keeping the ship in operation in the 1990s. Changes made to her design at this stage included installing SATCOM support equipment and increasing the range of the Masruca missile system. Missiles evolved from beam weapons to semi-active radar-guided types.

The radar system can be deployed at a distance of up to 60 kilometers, and the missile can reach an altitude of 73,800 feet.

Her involvement in the 1991 Gulf War coalition marked the end of her tenure. However, she never fired a gun throughout the conflict, and is remembered as never firing a gun throughout her sailing career.