Submarine forces (France)

The Submarine Forces of France (French: Forces Sous-Marines, pronounced [fɔʁs su maʁin], FSM) are one of the four main components of the French Navy. The force oversees all French submarines regardless of role.

The headquarters staff is an independent command made up of two prime components:^[1][2]

• The Strategic Oceanic Force (French: Force Océanique Stratégique, FOST), comprising several French nuclear ballistic missile submarine based at Brest. These forces are under the command of an Admiral, with the command structure, which commenced in 1972, being known as ALFOST.
• The Squadron of Nuclear Attack Submarines (French: Escadrille des Sous-Marins Nucléaires d'Attaque, ESNA), comprising a squadron of several attack submarines based at Toulon.

French submarine forces comprise over 4,000 military and civilian personnel of which an estimated two thousand are submariners.

The French Général Naval Officer (French: L'Officier général de marine), the Amiral (Admiral) Commandant of the Strategic Oceanic Force (French: Commandant la Force Océanique Stratégique, ALFOST), commands the submarine forces, under the authority of the Chief of Staff of the French Navy (French: Chef d'Etat-Major de La Marine).