French CVN Now Operational Off Syria to be Joined by FREMM Frigates & SF ECUME for 1st Time

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.

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

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)