Georges Leygues (Type F70)

The Georges Leygues class, also known as Type C70 AS or Type F70 AS, was built for the French Navy as an anti-submarine warfare frigate or destroyer-class escort. Seven ships entered service from the late 1970s onward. The class was intended to protect French task groups and sea lines against Soviet submarines.

The class combined hull sonar, towed-array developments on later ships, torpedoes, Exocet anti-ship missiles, a 100 mm gun, and helicopter operations. Its helicopter capability was central because submarine prosecution increasingly depended on offboard sensors and weapons. The design balanced ASW specialization with enough surface and self-defense weapons for fleet escort work.

Georges Leygues-class ships served for decades and were gradually replaced by newer FREMM frigates. Their long career shows the durability of Cold War ASW escort designs when modernized and used in patrol, escort, and overseas missions. The class helps connect older French destroyers with contemporary multi-mission frigates.