Lapérouse-class hydrographic survey ship

The Lapérouse class is a French Navy hydrographic survey ship class built at DCN Lorient for SHOM. The three ships combine coastal and deep-water survey work with satellite communications, multibeam and towed sonar sensors, hydrographic launches, and light defensive armament.

Various ConflictsUnspecified

Lapérouse-class hydrographic survey ship, Hydrographic survey ship, Naval Systems

Image source: Wikimedia Commons: A791 Lapérouse R01.jpg

Profile

Origin: France
Built by: Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN), Lorient
Type: Hydrographic survey ship
Service note: Commissioned from 1988
Produced: 1985-1987
Number built: 3 hydrographic ships

Also Known As

Laperouse class
Classe Lapérouse
Lapérouse class
Lapérouse-class survey ship
Lapérouse-class hydrographic survey vessel

surveymaritime naval

Specifications

Length: 59 m
Beam: 10.4 m
Displacement: 980 tonnes
Speed: 15 knots
Crew: 33 marins and 15 hydrographers
Propulsion: 2 diesel propulsion engines and 1 bow thruster
Survey fit: Satellite transmission, aft folding gantry, multibeam echo sounders for shallow and deep water, towed side-scan sonar, sediment sounder, 2 fast boats, and 2 hydrographic launches
Armament: 2 x 12.7 mm machine guns

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Three Lapérouse-class hydrographic ships entered French Navy service between 1988 and 1989 and remain listed as hydrographic vessels supporting SHOM work.
Used by: French Navy

Conflict Usage

Side: Unspecified

No publicly documented use in a named armed conflict found in the sources reviewed. Public sources describe Lapérouse-class vessels as hydrographic survey ships rather than combatants.

Timeline

Lapérouse-class hydrographic survey ship Key Events

Apr 20, 1988
Lead ship enters service
The Marine nationale says Lapérouse was admitted to active service on 20 April 1988, marking the start of the class's operational life.
Sources: Marine nationale: Bâtiments hydro-océanographiques

Lapérouse-class hydrographic survey ship Images

Lapérouse-class hydrographic survey ship, Hydrographic survey ship, Naval Systems - view 1 — Source: Wikimedia Commons: A792 Borda ship R01.jpg

Lapérouse-class hydrographic survey ship, Hydrographic survey ship, Naval Systems - view 2 — Source: Wikimedia Commons: FS LAPLACE A793 2.jpg

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Sources

Marine nationale: Bâtiments hydrographiquesPublisher: Ministère des Armées | Note: Supports the class role, service mission, equipment fit, dimensions, displacement, speed, crew, and the list of class ships A791 Lapérouse, A792 Borda, and A793 Laplace. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Marine nationale: Bâtiments hydro-océanographiquesPublisher: Ministère des Armées | Note: Supports Lapérouse's admission to active service on 20 April 1988 and the class's active status within the French Navy hydrographic force. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 ShipPhotos: FS Lapérouse (A791)Publisher: ShipPhotos.co.uk | Note: Supports the DCN Lorient builder context and the Lapérouse-class hydrographic survey vessel identification. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Wikimedia Commons: A791 Lapérouse R01.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary Lapérouse-class gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Wikimedia Commons: A792 Borda ship R01.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the Borda class-member gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Wikimedia Commons: FS LAPLACE A793 2.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the Laplace class-member gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25