French armed forces engaged in EU operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI in the Mediterranean.

Since Monday May 4, 2020, the French anti-aircraft frigate Jean Bart has been engaged in the framework of the European Union operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI. Launched on April 1, 2020, the main objective of this prevention mission is to contribute to the implementation of the 2016 United Nations resolution on the arms embargo on Libya (UNSCR 2292).

French frigate "Jean Bart", Cassard (F70 AA) class (Picture source: French Navy)

The "Jean Bart" will patrol the central Mediterranean and will contribute, through its reconnaissance and detection capabilities, to preventing the risks of instability in the region, in cooperation with the other means committed by the European partners. This direct support is carried out a few days after the deployment of the light stealth frigate Aconit as part of operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI for which it is continuing its journey in the Mediterranean Sea.

Sensitive to the risks that human, oil and arms traffic generated by the Libyan crisis pose to regional stability, France committed itself in 2015 with its partners Europeans in the European Union operation to combat migrant smuggling in the Mediterranean Sea, called EUNAVFOR MED SOPHIA.

In 2020, in the context of the end of the EUNAVFOR MED SOPHIA operation, France, therefore, continues its commitment alongside its European Union partners in the context of the EUNAVFOR MED IRINI operation.