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Focus - French CSG off Syria |
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French CVN Now Operational Off Syria to be Joined by FREMM Frigates
& SF ECUME for 1st Time |
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The
French Navy (Marine Nationale) nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles
de Gaulle and its Carrier Strike Group reached the area of operation
in the Eastern Mediterranean today and is now fully operational. According
to the French Navy two FREMMs, the latest addition to the fleet, will
join the CSG. These new generation frigates built by DCNS bring in new
capabilities such as land attack cruise missiles and special forces
support. |
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 The French Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) Charles de Gaulle (R91) leaving Toulon naval base for the "Arromanches 2" operational mission. Picture: French Navy / S.Chenal |
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By deploying the CSG in the Eastern Mediteranean,
the French Navy aircraft are much closer to their objectives in Syria.
With the CSG in the area, France effectively triples its fighter assets
for missions over Iraq and Syria.
The French Navy confirmed the Charles de Gaulle's airwing: 32 aircraft onboard: » 18x Rafale ; » 8x Super-Etendard Modernisé (SEM) ; » 2x E-2C Hawkeye ; » 2 Dauphin helicopters » 1 Alouette III helicopter » 1 Super Puma (Air Force) This should be the last operational deployment of the SEM as the aircraft which is flying for the French Navy for over 40 years now is set to be pulled out of service next year. Past 2016 all SEMs will be replaced by the Rafale M. Around the Charles de Gaulle CVN, the CSG itself should be composed of: » Horizon class Air Defense Destroyer Chevalier Paul (classified as Frigate in the French Navy) » Leygues class ASW Frigate La Motte-Picquet » Durance class replenishment oiler Marne » One Rubis class submarine (SSN) Atlantique II maritime patrol aircraft will routinely provide ASW cover for the CSG as well. |
 F930 Leopold I - Karel Doorman-class frigate ("M-Frigate") of the Naval Component of the Belgian Armed Forces leaving Toulon French naval base with the CSG. Picture: French Navy S.Ghesquiere |
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The
French CSG will receive escorts from allied navies as well: Belgian Navy
Leopold I Frigate, Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Melbourne
(Perry class) and Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS St Albans. It
is understood that these vessels won't be integrated in the French CSG
simultaneously but will rather take turns. It would not be surprising
to see U.S. Navy vessels operating alongside the French CSG as well, as
it has been the case earlier this year in the Gulf.
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 French Navy FREMM Frigates Aquitaine (back) and Provence (front) sailing in formation |
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First operational mission for the FREMM Frigate
For the first time, French Navy FREMM Frigates will be deployed on an operational mission. Contacted by Navy Recognition, the French Navy public affairs explained the Aquitaine frigate will soon depart to replace one of the two vessels escorting the aircraft carrier (La Motte-Piquet or Chevalier Paul). The FREMM being a multi-mission frigate, it will have no problem fulfilling either ASW or AAW escort duties according to the French Navy. FREMM Provence (second of the class) will also be deployed to join the CSG in the future. Designed for AAW, ASW and ASUW missions, the FREMM Frigates by DCNS are truly multirole vessels. They bring a new capability to the French Navy: Carrying out deep strikes against land targets with MBDA's Naval Cruise Missile. Navy Recognition learned that Aquitine Frigate will be officially declared on active duty (in French: admission au service actif) by the French Navy in early december and then will join the CSG. Link to FREMM Frigate (Aquitaine class) technical datasheet |
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 French Navy Special Forces aboard an ECUME RHIB operating alongside a FREMM Frigate |
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First
operational mission for the ECUME RHIB
The French Navy announced another "first" for Arromanches 2 (the name of the mission): In addition to the FREMM, this is the first operational deployment for the ECUME. ECUME is the new RHIB of the French Navy Special Forces (the famous Commandos Marine). At least one ECUME RHIB will be deployed on board Aquitaine and Provence frigates. Designed and produced by Zodiac Milpro, the ECUME can transport 12 fully equipped special forces to conduct assaults at sea or nautical raids. It may operate in coastal area as well as in the high seas, even in adverse weather. The ECUME is a modular boat that can be configured depending on the mission. The French Navy Special Forces currently use ECUME in 6 configurations for 6 types of missions: - Command (to command and control naval special operations at sea. Also acts as tactical relay with the support vessel). - Fire Support (to support special forces in their missions with machine guns) - Assault (to storm vessels at sea with ladders or perch in counter terrorism operations for example) - Raid DPD (to deploy and support Stidd Diver Propulsion Device (DPD) during nautical raids) - Raid RIB (to deploy and support smaller RIBs during nautical raids) - Raid Kayak (to deploy and support Nautiraid's SB Commando MK VI kayaks during nautical raids) |
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 French Navy Special Forces ECUME RHIB being lifted aboard a FREMM Frigate via davit |
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The ECUME is 9.30 metres long and is powered by two diesel inboard engines
that were designed specifically for the purpose by Volvo Penta. With a
maximum cruising displacement of 7 tonnes, the ECUME RIBs are able to
undertake long distance raids carrying 12 fully equipped navy commandos
at speeds in excess of 40 knots. The key to its on-water performance lies
with the use of the unique Zodiac Milpro MACH II (Military Air Channeled
Hull). This has been developed to reduce water resistance and enhance
directional stability so that higher speeds can be maintained with greater
fuel economy and safety. The aluminum or GRP (on the ECUME) air step hull’s
low centre of gravity enables the boat to sustain high speeds in demanding
sea conditions while retaining the comfort and security that helps preserve
the operational performance of its passengers and crew.
To learn more about the Zodiac Milpro Ecume click here |
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