Strategic Oceanic Force

FOST was placed under the command of a Squadron Vice-Admiral (Officers of Admiral rank) (French: L'Officier général de marine), hence the acronym ALFOST.

The Strategic Force was born after World War II from the will of general 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 capability).

Deterrence is ensured in 2014 by the permanent deployment of the French nuclear ballistic missile submarines of the Triomphant-class.

The first submarine class of French nuclear ballistic missile submarines in service was the Redoutable class, the head of the series, which was put in dry-docks under authorization in March 1963, with construction commencing in 1964 and was launched on March 29, 1967, in presence of President of France Charles de Gaulle.