In addition to its primary duty as a fleet tanker, Somme is configured as a flagship and has served as such in the Indian Ocean.

[2] The three ships of the class designated BCRs, Var, Marne and Somme all have superstructures that were extended aft by 8 m (26 ft) to accommodate the additional staff requirements.

Somme is powered by two SEMT Pielstick 16 PC2.5 V 400 diesel engines turning two LIPS controllable pitch propellers rated at 15,000 kilowatts (20,000 hp).

The ships utilise Aérospatiale Alouette III and Westland Lynx helicopters but are capable of operating larger ones from their flight deck.

[6] Serving as the command vessel for the French forces participating in Operation Atalanta, Somme was attacked approximately 250 nautical miles (460 km; 290 mi) off the Somali coast in the night of 6 to 7 October 2009 by two motorboats of Somali pirates who mistook Somme for a civilian ship.

Somme repelled the assault rifle attack without sustaining damage or casualties and captured five of the pirates.

[7][8] Again on 20 April 2010, Somali pirates in a skiff mistakenly attacked Somme, firing at the vessel with automatic weapons.

[11] In 2022 it was indicated that Somme would continue in service until 2027 when she is planned to be replaced by the third of the Jacques Chevallier-class support ships, Émile Bertin.