Leopard class schoolship poster

The Leopard-type training vessel is a class of training vessel of the French Navy.

They are dedicated to the training and nautical conduct of navigating officers and petty officers from the Naval School, French naval schools, State administrations or foreign navies.

They are part of the State's action system at sea and can therefore intervene in the fight against pollution with specific equipment.

They replaced the MSC-type dredgers of the 1950s. Eight ships make up this boat class: Leopard (A748),

Panther (A749), Jaguar (A750), Lynx (A751), Cheetah (A752), Jackal (A753), Tiger (A754), and Lion (A755).

Ships receive two 12.7 mm machine guns replacing two 20 mm Oerlikon cannons in 2002

They were renovated in 2011 and 2012, to extend its life by ten years. The operation involves replacing the engines with Baudouin brand models, the generators, the hydrocarbon separator, the refrigerators, the navigation radar and the gyrocompass. The hull was repainted and the two shaft lines were inspected.

Anecdote: their nickname is "The Menagerie"

This follows an anecdote that occurred in 1984: the Leopard, leaving Brest with other school buildings (and on board Rear Admiral Fuzeau) crossed the tanker Durance Goulet from Brest. Its commanding officer, Commander Mailloux, radioed the Leopard and asked if the "Menagerie" was going on tour.

The rear admiral replied "Yes, and the tamer is on board!"