20 mm modèle F2 gun
The 20 mm modèle F2 gun is a naval defence weapon used by the French Navy. It was developed from the GIAT M693, itself derived from Hispano-Suiza HS. It fires the same 20×139 mm round.
20 mm modèle F2 gun

Rama · Photograph by Rama, Wikimedia Commons, Cc-by-sa-2.0-fr · CC BY-SA 2.0 fr
- Field
- autocannon and anti-aircraft gun.
- Region
- France.
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Documentary summary
The 20 mm modèle F2 gun is a naval defence weapon used by the French Navy. It was developed from the GIAT M693, itself derived from Hispano-Suiza HS. It fires the same 20×139 mm round.
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original value insufficient · checked 25 September 2026
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Authority files
wikidata · Q4630632 · wikipedia · 20 mm modèle F2 gun
In this article
History
History
The need for a newer 20 mm defence cannon than the Oerlikon 20 mm cannon began to grow noticeably during the 1980s. The companies DCN and GIAT were contracted to design the F2 20 mm cannon, essentially a navalised version of the M693 gun used by the French Army, and sold for export.
Usage
Usage
The gun has been exported to Belgium (Tripartite-class minesweepers), Indonesia (Tripartite-class minesweepers), Malawi (Kasunga), Netherlands (Tripartite-class minesweepers), Pakistan (Tripartite-class minesweepers), and Saudi Arabia (NAJA 12 class). In the French Navy, they are used aboard: French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle Horizon-class frigates La Fayette-class frigates Floréal-class frigates D'Estienne d'Orves-class avisos Éridan-class minesweepers P400-class patrol vessel Dumont d'Urville Jacques Cartier La Grandière Rapière Hallebarde Monge

Elements of the 54th Artillery regiment (54RA) parading during the celebrations of the 14th of July in Toulon. VAB equiped with a T20-13 turret that features a 20mm anti-air cannon (canon mitrailleur de 20mm Mle F2).
Rama · Photograph by Rama, Wikimedia Commons, Cc-by-sa-2.0-fr

Elements of the 54th Artillery regiment (54RA) parading during the celebrations of the 14th of July in Toulon. VAB equiped with a T20-13 turret that features a 20mm anti-air cannon (canon mitrailleur de 20mm Mle F2).
Rama · Photograph by Rama, Wikimedia Commons, Cc-by-sa-2.0-fr
Places
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Places
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France.
Country
20 mm modèle F2 gun is associated with France.
Country
Description
The 20 mm F2 is a mounted monotube gun, with two 150-cartridge boxes on each side of the piece. An electrical control system allows for a choice of three modes of fire: single shot, eight-shot burst, or free fire. There is an electrical trigger in the right hand of the gunner. A manual selector allows the gunner to change the box feeding the weapon during the firing, making mixed firing available. After each shot, the empty cartridge is ejected from beneath the weapon. The gun is manoeuvred by the body of the gunner, who is attached to the weapon. Firing is guided through the same optical visor as used with the Bofors 40 mm gun and the Oerlikon 20 mm cannon.
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “20 mm modèle F2 gun”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q4630632: 20 mm modèle F2 gun
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References
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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