French Ministry of the Armed Forces press release (translation by Naval News)
Following a simulated naval cruise missile (NCM) strike, conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, the two ships carried out an air defense exercise by interacting with two Rafale fighters from the projected air base in the Levant. This operation illustrates the ability of the French Armed Forces to deploy credible and interoperable assets, in a joint context and far from their bases, in order to affirm France’s commitment to freedom of operation in international airspace and on the high seas, in this strategic area for Europe.
The Auvergne and Provence frigates are deployed in the eastern Mediterranean as part of France’s permanent naval presence in this sensitive area, and in direct support of Operation CHAMMAL. They contribute to France’s autonomous assessment of the situation in this region.
