Kléber
Tier X · Destroyer · France
Rating B- (Below average within its tier and class · overall score 41) · Balanced destroyer
A French gunboat destroyer built on heavy salvos and overwhelming speed. Its eight 139 mm guns deal a 4,160 HE salvo, 62% above average, and although the base reload is a slow 7.1 s, three uses of Rapid Reload III (+50% reload, 15 s) concentrate firepower at key moments. A 43.0 kn top speed plus Engine Boost IV (+20% speed and turning) give free control over range and disengagement, and 10.62 km range lets it pick targets from afar. However, detectability is long at 7.68 km and AA is 59% below average. Its 7.2 km torpedoes are shorter than its detectability and serve to push back approaching enemies.
Key stats
- HP: 21,175
- Top speed: 42.95 kn
- Surface detectability: 7.68 km
- Main battery: 139 mm 4X2 · reload 7.1 s · range 10.62 km
Developed in the early days of World War II, this large destroyer design constituted a further development of the Mogador class. The main distinctive features of these new ships were the different combination of artillery guns and more powerful AA defenses.