The Jean Bart battleship (named after Jean Bart, the most famous of the Dunkirk corsairs), was laid down on December 12th 1936 and launched in March 1940. Jean Bart was one of the last representatives of the era of large gunships and a symbol of France’s desire to maintain naval superiority on the eve of WWII. Unfinished, she was evacuated to North Africa in June 1940. After her arrival in Casablanca, Jean Bart became an “outpost” for the French Navy outside of the metropolis.

In November 1942, she took part in the defense of the port during the Allied landings, entering combat with her systems only partially operational. Despite her limited capabilities, the ship proved her worth, a notable episode in the naval campaign off the coast of Morocco. In 1949, her construction was completed and the battleship entered service with the French Navy.

The main armament consists of two quadruple 380mm/45mm turrets. The secondary armament consists exclusively of dual-purpose guns: nine 152mm/55mm guns in three triple mounts and twenty-four 100mm guns in twelve twin mounts. An air defense system of twenty-eight 57mm autocannons in fourteen twin mounts provides excellent protection against air threats.