All articles tagged with #french navy
The French navy has seized nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine worth $610 million from an unflagged fishing vessel off the West African coast, as part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, a key transit region for narcotics from South America to Europe.
French and Turkish naval companies, including Aselsan and Naval Group, are developing kinetic torpedo interceptors as navies seek effective countermeasures against advanced torpedo threats. Despite existing systems like Israel's Torbuster, challenges in underwater targeting and system maturity persist. Industry experts predict that hard-kill torpedo technology could be ready by 2030, aligning with European Defense Agency timelines for an anti-torpedo torpedo demonstrator project.
The French navy seized 2.4 tons of cocaine from a Venezuelan fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean, following a tip from the customs department. This marks the third major cocaine seizure in the region this month, highlighting the Caribbean's growing role in drug trafficking from South America to Europe and North America. The French navy has intercepted over 12 tons of narcotics this year.
The French Navy's Air Defense FREMM frigate intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles targeting its position and a container ship it was escorting in the Red Sea, as part of the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the region. The interception, carried out by the frigate Alsace, marks the first time the French Navy has intercepted ballistic missiles in an operational context, showcasing the high level of training and professionalism of the crew and the quality of the vessel's sensors and weapons systems.
The French and U.S. navies are preparing for degraded operational conditions, including loss of satellite communications, by conducting drills reminiscent of the 1980s. This preparation is in response to new threats such as hypersonic missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, drones, and cyber warfare. Navies are focusing on making their systems more resilient to attacks, emphasizing deception and emissions control, and integrating artificial intelligence to fend off these new threats. The challenge for carrier strike groups is to integrate all available data to create a "superiority bubble" around the carrier in a more contested battlespace.
The French Navy defended its use of million-euro missiles to down drones used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, emphasizing the value of protecting lives and assets. The proliferation of cheap drones poses a challenge to Western navies, with the cost of sophisticated interceptors losing appeal against inexpensive drones. The commander highlighted the sophistication of some Houthi drones and their use of Iranian technology, while emphasizing the importance of intercepting reconnaissance drones to prevent more lethal attacks. France's Languedoc frigate has been escorting vessels through the Red Sea and is part of the U.S.-led operation, while Italy and Greece also have vessels in the area.
The French frigate Languedoc has intercepted and destroyed a drone from Yemen that was threatening an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden. This is the third drone interception by Languedoc since Sunday. The frigate has been patrolling the area to contribute to maritime security and the freedom of navigation. The USS Mason escorted the affected tanker out of the threat zone, and the fire on board was brought under control with no reported injuries.
The French Navy's FREMM frigate Languedoc intercepted and shot down two drones that were heading towards it from the coast of Yemen. The engagement took place in the Red Sea, near Al Hudaydah. The details of the engagement, including the type of weaponry used, are still pending. This is the first operational engagement of this kind for the French Navy in a long time. Languedoc is part of the Aquitaine-class FREMM frigates and is optimized for anti-submarine warfare. The frigate had recently performed a crew exchange and is currently under the operational command of Rear Admiral Slaars. The interception by Languedoc is the latest in a series of incidents in the Red Sea, with Houthi forces targeting US Navy and commercial ships with missiles and drones.
The US Navy has sailed a warship through the Taiwan Strait in its first known transit since China carried out an encirclement exercise around self-ruled Taiwan. China protested the transit, saying the U.S. transit was a “public hype” and that the Eastern Theater Command was ready at any time to “resolutely safeguard the country's sovereignty, safety, and regional peace and stability." China has stepped up its military pressure over Taiwan in recent years, sending fighter jets and navy vessels towards the island on a near-daily basis.