Foudre-class landing platform dock

The Foudre type vessels are landing platforms of the French Navy.

They carry large stowage areas which can be used to ferry battle tanks and vehicles, a 52-ton elevating platform, a lateral ramp and a flight deck able to simultaneously operate several helicopters.

Three rotations of such ships can ferry a whole armoured regiment with its 22 AMX-30 or Leclerc battle tanks, 44 AMX 10 RC heavy armoured cars, 22 véhicules de l'Avant Blindé, 41 all-terrain light vehicles (including 16 MILAN anti-tank missile systems), 54 TRM 4000 trucks, 15 TRM 2000 light trucks, 5 fuel trucks, 2 tug trucks, 6 120 mm mortars, 67 towed containers and one beach carpeting system, overall 3300 tonnes.

The hull is built around a well deck which constitutes ¾ of the length of the ship, and can accommodate up to eight landing craft. They can be put to sea by filling ballast tanks and lowering the ship, and opening the rear door.

The aeronautical installations allow all-weather operations of transport helicopters, intended to carry commandos. 4 Super-Puma or 2 Super-Frelon helicopters can be accommodated in the hangar.

On June 2010, French defence minister Hervé Morin offered the Foudre (L 9011) to the Argentine Navy during his visit to Buenos Aires. Argentina had already declined the transfer of the Ouragan class in the past and is more interested in seeking French support for a locally built amphibious ship instead.

In October 2011 it was announced that Chile and France had finalized negotiations for sale of Foudre to Chile for around USD80 million. In December 2011 the Foudre entered service in the Chilean Navy as "LSDH-91 Sargento Aldea". Her sister ship Sciroco probably will join her in the near future.