French Helicopter Carrier Diksmuide gets ready for Resilience operation against COVID-19.

On March 27, the amphibious helicopter carrier Diksmuide docked at its port-base, Toulon, where the ship will be reconfigured in order to set out again on mission in the Antilles, within the framework of the operation "Resilience" of contribution of armies in the interdepartmental engagement against the spread of COVID-19.

Helicopter Carrier Diksmuide (Picture source: French MoD)

Declaring a war against "an invisible enemy," the French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday announced an army operation "Resilience" to back the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and support the population.

The operation will focus on helping population and supporting public services to cope with the COVID-19 epidemic, in France's mainland and overseas, notably in health, logistics and protection fields, he added.

As of his arrival in Toulon, his base port, the crew and the reinforcements which will embark on the Diksmuide will be reconfigured to leave as soon as possible towards the Antilles-Guyana area to support the civil authorities in the fight against the epidemic of the coronavirus.

If, for any reason, these missions were cancelled by the participating countries, Diksmuide will still be able to carry out a beach reconnaissance exercise with the Lebanese Armed Forces.