Surcouf pirates attacking pirates? Succession in the Indian Ocean
(BRUSSELS2) As December approaches, it is time for rotations in the multinational operations deployed in the Indian Ocean. On the French side, it is the Primauguet (based in Brest) which will join Operation Enduring Freedom, after a three-week detour to the Pean exercise in the Mediterranean – in which the Charles de Gaulle, the Jean Bart… and the Italian and Greek navies (1). The frigate “Surcouf” (based in Toulon) is closer (currently at the Suez Canal according to my information), should precede it in Operation Enduring Freedom before joining the European operation “Atalanta”. Robbers attack pirates. This was worth noting…
These two frigates are reinforced by a frigate from Réunion (currently the Floréal). These buildings thus relay the “La Fayette” and the Aviso Jacoubet which return to mainland France.
The Surcouf (F-711) is of the same class as the Lafayette. 125 meters long and weighing 3600 tonnes, it was manufactured 15 years ago and put into service in 1997. A vessel equipped with technological innovations, it is the typical instrument for intervention in crisis zones, as precursor, intelligence or embargo, according to the Navy. It has a sea autonomy of 50 days (food and fuel) which is appreciable in a
Atalanta type mission. It can reach a speed of 25 knots, has an on-board Panther helicopter and can carry a team of commandos. Its crew is approximately 150 men. The Indian Ocean is not new: it was part of the forces which intervened for the liberation of Ponant and then escorted the yacht, once freed towards Marseille (Credit: DICOD / Sirpa Marine).
The Primauguet (D-644) is an anti-submarine frigate, Georges Leygues class, type F70. It is a little bigger than Surcouf. 139 meters long and weighing 4900 tonnes (loaded), it can develop a speed of 21 or 30 knots depending on the turbine used (diesel or gas). It has more than 20 years of good and loyal service but maintains an autonomy of 45 days (8000 miles at 15 knots). Equipped with two WG-13 Lynx helicopters, primarily for anti-submarine warfare, it has a crew of around 240 people.
The Primauguet (Credit: DICOD / Sirpa Marine)
(1) More details on this exercise, on the Navy Reservists website. Not to be confused with the Naval Reserve Officers site (Acoram)