Breaking News: French Navy Frigate Languedoc Shoots Down Two Yemen-Launched Drones Targeting the Ship.

December 10, 2023 – The French Ministry of Defense announced on December 9, 2023, that the French Navy frigate Languedoc, a warship patrolling the Red Sea, shot down two drones late last night that were targeting the ship. These drones were launched from northern Yemen, a region under the control of the Houthi rebels. The Houthis have been threatening to disrupt strategic maritime traffic in the area amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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The Languedoc multi-mission frigate (FREMM) of the French Navy. (Picture source: French Navy)

The Languedoc, a multi-mission frigate (FREMM), stationed in the Red Sea for a national maritime security mission, intercepted the drones as they headed directly towards it, as per the statement from the military headquarters. However, details regarding whether the drones were taken down using missiles or gunfire were not disclosed.

Since August 2023, the FREMM Languedoc has been deployed in the area of responsibility under the command of the maritime zone of the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN). During this deployment, Languedoc integrated with the U.S. naval carrier strike group led by Dwight D. Eisenhower from November 16 to 18, 2023.

This incident marks the first time a French military vessel has been targeted by the Houthis since the onset of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, triggered by a deadly attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement on Israeli soil.

Last week, the Houthis attacked two ships off the Yemeni coast, including one flying the Bahamas flag, claiming they belonged to Israelis. A U.S. destroyer last week shot down three drones while assisting commercial ships in the Red Sea targeted by attacks from Yemen, according to Washington, which condemned it as a "direct threat" to maritime security. On November 19, the Houthis seized the merchant ship Galaxy Leader, owned by a British company which is itself owned by an Israeli businessman.

On November 1, 2023, the Houthi militia in Yemen initiated hostilities against Israel, launching a sequence of ballistic missiles and drones in the direction of Israeli territory.

As of December 9, 2023, Yemen's Houthi rebels have announced their intent to target ships transiting the Red Sea towards Israel, irrespective of the vessels' connections to Israel. This declaration marks a further intensification in the group's aggressive actions during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Houthi group, supported by Iran, has launched multiple ballistic missiles and drones towards Eilat since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October, but all were either intercepted or failed to hit their intended targets. The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday, with Israel intercepting a ballistic missile over the Red Sea.

The support of the Houthi rebels for the conflict in Gaza, often referred to as the Gaza - Israel war, highlights the complex web of regional alliances and animosities in the Middle East. The Houthis, a Yemeni group with ties to Iran, have historically expressed solidarity with Palestinian causes, aligning ideologically and politically against Israel.

This support is mostly rhetorical and symbolic, given the geographical and logistical challenges that limit direct military or material assistance from the Houthis to Palestinian groups like Hamas in Gaza. However, their vocal support for Gaza during conflicts with Israel aligns with the broader regional dynamics where various groups and states take stances based on their geopolitical interests and ideological affiliations.

The French frigate Languedoc, a key component of the FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission) program, showcases remarkable versatility and cutting-edge technology. This state-of-the-art warship is armed with a diverse array of weapons, making it well-equipped to handle a variety of combat situations. Its arsenal includes the Aster 15 and 30 surface-to-air missiles, which provide robust air defense capabilities. Additionally, the Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles endow the Languedoc with significant offensive power against surface targets. For submarine threats, the ship is equipped with MU90 torpedoes, ensuring comprehensive undersea warfare proficiency.

Beyond its formidable weaponry, the Languedoc is particularly noted for its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The ship is equipped with advanced sonar systems that enable it to detect and track submarines with high efficiency. This capability is further enhanced by its onboard NH90 helicopter, which extends the range of its anti-submarine operations. The Languedoc also boasts impressive defensive systems, including electronic warfare capabilities that protect against various electronic threats. Its design emphasizes stealth, reducing its visibility to enemy radar and sonar systems, thus enhancing its survivability in hostile environments. The combination of these features makes the Languedoc a formidable asset in modern naval warfare, capable of operating effectively across a wide spectrum of combat scenarios.