the depth-charge throwers were removed in 1936 and more 200-kilogram depth charges were carried in their place. the ship's hotchkiss machineguns were repositioned in front of the bridge in early 1939. "kersaint" was fitted with a british alpha 128 asdic system in april 1940. the navy reconsidered its anti-submarine warfare tactics after the war began in september and eventually reinstated the pair of depth-charge throwers, although these were an older model than the one previously installed. as an interim measure, a pair of rails were installed on the stern for depth charges. each rail could accommodate three depth charges and ten more were stored in the magazine. the ship received her intended depth charge throwers during her may–june 1941 refit. at the same time, her anti-aircraft suite was augmented when the aft superstructure was remodeled and the mainmast was removed to accommodate three hotchkiss modèle 1925 aa guns in single mounts and a pair of browning 13.2-millimeter aa machineguns, also in single mounts.