Tampion PHA Tonnerre

Le Tonnerre (L9014) is a Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA) of the French Navy. Designed for maritime or land missions, it can transport and disembark men and equipment. Called LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock) according to NATO, it was previously designated BPC (projection and command building) until January 2019.

Thunder can be integrated into NATO, UN or European Union missions. The French Navy has two other ships of this type: the Mistral (L9013) and the Dixmude (L9015).

Built by the DCN in Brest and the Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, the cutting of the first sheet began in December 2002, with parallel construction and launching in July 2005. Delivery initially planned for 2006 was was delayed due to industrial problems.

The Tonnerre, with a displacement of 21,300 tonnes, is 199 m long, 32 m wide and has a draft of 6.2 m. It is equipped with SIGMA 40 navigation systems and has undergone modernizations, including a second bow thruster.

Its initial armament includes two SIMBAD surface-to-air missile systems and four 12.7mm Browning M2-HB machine guns. During its modernization in 2017, two 20 mm Narwhal cannons and two EOMS optronic turrets were added.