By Vania Raebel | June 21, 2019
The Marine Nationale is one of the world’s most tenured naval forces. Loosely known as the French Navy, it became official in 1624. It was one of the major players that contributed to the success of the French colonial empire. Unlike other maritime forces, the French Navy is made up of six branches: Force d’Action Navale, Fusiliers Marins, Forces Sous-marines, Marins Pompiers, Maritime Force of Naval Aeronautics, and the Maritime Gendarmerie.
The French Navy receives an allotment of $40 billion as its total defense budget, and with that, it has already accumulated 118 naval assets. Its six naval branches collectively own four aircraft, 18 mine warfare vessels, ten submarines, 18 patrol crafts, and 12 destroyers (among other assets).
