French Navy surge in MEDOR
Published in Warships International Fleet Review December 23
NO CARRIER TO SEND – P11
France’s carrier was in refit but it had other options.
Hamas's recent attack on Israeli civilians refocused international attention on this region once again. Western powers must balance Israeli security needs and their alliances with Muslim states while avoiding any major escalation.
The United States already sent two powerful Carrier Strike Groups, the CSG 12 and 8, to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Also, it has a Marine amphibious unit off the Kuwaiti waters if needed.
The Royal Navy officially announced sending an amphibious force too; they were seen resupplying in Gibraltar on the 13th of October.
France, due to its proximity and historical interest, always maintains a significant military presence in this region.
In mid-October, the French Navy had the light frigate FLF Surcouf part of the Standing NATO maritime group 2 off the coast of Turkey and the FREMM Languedoc in the Persian Gulf.
FLF Surcouf
In a time of crisis, the French government usually deploys its own Carrier Group centred around the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle, but due to a planned refit, she will not be available until January 2024 at the soonest.
Although much smaller than an American carrier group, the French CSG is equipped with a very capable air component of 20 Rafale multirole aircraft, EC-2 Hawkeyes and a complement of helicopters.
French CSG during the Antares Mission early 2023 (E.M.A)
On October 19th, the French government announced that the FREMM Alsace, which was seen last week off the coast of Toulon test firing Exocet Block 3C (see picture), will sail to the MEDOR zone (Oriental Mediterraneo).
The Alsace is a recently commissioned (2021) air defence variant of the Aquitaine class, replacing the cruise missile silos with Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles. This 6000 tons destroyer albeit smaller than a US Arleigh Burke destroyer is very well equipped:
Air defence
16 Aster 15 for close range engagement up to 16 NM
16 Aster 30 for long range up to 60 NM
The Aster system can engage up to 12 targets simultaneously. This ship has almost the same capability as the Horizon class with less ammunition.
Anti surface
This variant does not carry cruise missiles but the Exocet Block 3c variant can be employed against ship and land targets at up to 120 NM. She also features a 76mm Oto Melara gun.
Anti-submarine
Extremely quiet while on electric propulsion, all the FREMMs are equipped with an NH90 Caiman helicopter and a Thales Captas 4 sonar, arguably the best one in the world.
In 2020 and 2021, three French FREMM frigates received the US Navy “Hook’ them” award for their efficiency during ASW exercises with the American fleet.
This ship is also equipped with a comprehensive electronic surveillance suite which will help to complement French eyes and ears already surveying the area.
Ships of this class are regularly integrated into US carrier group air defence network thanks to NATO L11-16-22 networks.
The FREMM is an extremely successful French-Italian design; 20 have been ordered for 4 different navies and was recently chosen to be the base for the US Navy Constellation class.
FREMM DA Alsace
Even with its “big guns” unavailable, the French government is still deploying one of its Mistral-class 21500 tons Amphibious assault ships. She can carry up to 20 helicopters, 450 troops with their vehicles and deploy them with 4 landing crafts. She is usually escorted by one or two air defence destroyers, the FREMM Alsace will be first, an Horizon class destroyer Forbin or Chevalier Paul both Aster 30/15 capable, can follow.
PHA Mistral
The Tonnerre, the 2nd ship of the Mistral-class is, until the 22nd of October, training with the Spanish Fleet off the coast of Spain. If the French government wishes to, she could be in a position to sail towards Israel very quickly to assist in hostage rescue or humanitarian missions, both of which the French forces have a lot of experience with.
D 621 Chevalier Paul Horizon class air defence destroyer
Rafale M Fighters, EC2 Hawkeye and Maritime Patrol Aircraft Atlantic 2 from the air component of the French Navy might also be deployed in the many available allied bases in the region.
For the French government, having only one Aircraft Carrier has been a recurring problem for the past 25 years. France has to accept to be a powerful Navy only on a part-time basis. But “La Royale” while getting smaller over the past 30 years maintains a very high level of excellence in almost all types of naval warfare, as demonstrated during multiple operations alongside its NATO allies..
Sending the Mistral alongside the FREMM Alsace and FLF Surcouf, allows the French government to put enough assets to help its allies and to keep unfiltered eyes close to the ground.
As a former French naval chief of staff used to say, “The value of a navy is measured by its ability to last”.The French Navy will be in a position to reinforce or rotate its assets later if needed.
All Pictures and videos are from the French Navy weekly press centre
