France’s three Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carriers will receive major navigation upgrades under a new partnership between CNN MCO, Thales, and CS GROUP. The modernization initiative includes the ships Mistral, Tonnerre, and Dixmude, as well as support enhancements for the French Navy’s replenishment and reconnaissance vessel Somme.
Installation timelines will align with existing maintenance schedules, with full modernization expected by 2027. The program is designed to ensure that the Mistral-class fleet remains fully operational even when GPS-based navigation systems are disrupted by electronic warfare or signal interference. This upgrade strengthens the French Navy’s ability to operate securely in contested maritime environments.
Thales will deliver its TopAxyz inertial navigation technology, which calculates a ship’s movement using internal instruments that track position, velocity, and heading without relying on satellite signals. CS GROUP will integrate these systems into the vessels’ navigation infrastructure, overseeing sensor management, data routing, embedded software, and cyber defense. CNN MCO will handle installation, system testing, ongoing maintenance, and lifecycle support.
The Mistral-class ships are among France’s most capable amphibious platforms, measuring 199 meters long with a displacement of 21,500 tons and a top speed of 19 knots. Designed for large-scale expeditionary operations, each carrier supports 177 crew members, up to 900 troops, 16 helicopters, and either 60 armored vehicles or 13 tanks. A 69-bed onboard hospital further enables medical, humanitarian, and disaster-response missions.
