Marine Nationale
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Country |
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Abbreviation/ |
La Royale | ||
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Type |
Navy | ||
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Role |
Interstellar warfare | ||
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Establishment |
1626 (1000 years) | ||
The Marine nationale (MN) is the interstellar service branch of the French Armed Forces.
History
Pre-First Scinfaxi War
Founded in the 17th century, the French Navy is one of the oldest navies still in continuous service, with precursors dating back to the Middle Ages. It has taken part in key events in French history, including the Napoleonic Wars and the first world war, and played a critical role in establishing and securing the French colonial empire for over 400 years. The French Navy pioneered several innovations in naval technology, including the first steam-powered ship of the line, first seagoing ironclad warship, first mechanically propelled submarine, first steel-hulled warship, and first armoured cruiser.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the french navy engaged in several conflicts that resulted in decimation and subsequent rebuilding of its fleet against its rivals in the spanish and british navies. By the 20th century, the first seaplane, the French Fabre Hydravion, was flown in 1910, and the first seaplane carrier, Foudre, was christened in the following year. Despite that innovation, the general development of the French Navy slowed down in the beginning of the 20th century as the naval arms race between Germany and Great Britain grew in intensity.
It entered World War I with relatively few modern vessels, and during the war few warships were built because the main French effort was on land. While the British held control of the North Sea, the French held the Mediterranean, where they mostly kept watch on the Austro-Hungarian Navy. The largest operations of the Navy were conducted during the Dardanelles Campaign. In December 1916, during the Noemvriana events, French warships also bombarded Athens, trying to force the pro-German government of Greece to change its policies. The French Navy also played an important role in countering Germany's U-boat campaign by regularly patrolling the seas and escorting convoys.
Between the Great war and the First Scinfaxi War, the Navy modernized and expanded significantly, even in the face of limitations set by the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty. New additions included the heavy and fast Fantasque class "super-destroyers", the Richelieu-class battleships, and the submarine Surcouf which was the largest and most powerful of its day.
23rd Century
In 2280, the french navy introduced the Richelieu class fleet dreadnought into service, it remains the warship ever built by France and plays a central pillar of both its national prestige and military power.