Strategic Oceanic Force
The Strategic Ocean Force () has been the synonym of the French Submarine Forces since 1999, which the commandant commands the ensemble related to, along with the squadron of nuclear attack submarine (). The French Strategic Ocean Force Command ALFOST was set up in 1972 under a Squadron Vice-Admiral. Generality The Strategic Ocean Force (), created on March 1, 1972, constitutes the principal composite of the Strategic French Nuclear Forces (). FOST was placed under the command of a Squadron Vice-Admiral (Officers of Admiral rank) (), hence the acronym ALFOST. With the dissolution of the Atlantic Attack Submarine Group, the submarines with conventional propulsion were grouped with the nuclear submarines from July 1, 1999. Force de dissuasion The Strategic Force was born after the World War II from the will of général de Gaulle to possess a nuclear arm. The French Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines armed with Submarine-launched ballistic missiles, in relation to their discretion in the various oceanic patrol zones, ensure a guaranteed retaliatory nuclear strike (second strike). Since 1985, the strategy of nuclear deterrence in France armed six French Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines in service, five in service since 1991, and four since 1997; maintaining a permanent presence