The Corto Real alongside the Charles de Gaulle
(B2) The Corto-Real frigate will reach Toulon by March 4. She will integrate for twenty days the escort of the French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle
The frigate Corto Real (F-332) will provide anti-submarine protection for the French aircraft carrier during its journey in the Mediterranean Sea, as part of an operation aimed at contributing to the international security effort, in particular in the main arteries where there is maritime traffic.
Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Asia
After the Mediterranean Sea, between March and July 2019, the naval action group formed around the Charles-de-Gaulle (R-91) will take up residence in warmer seas: in the Red Sea, in the Indian Ocean and then to Asia, notably in Singapore, just at the time of the Shangra-La dialogue which has become a key point of the dialogue strategic with Asia.
A composite group
Commanded by Rear Admiral Olivier Lebas, the Task Force 473 (TF473) should include, in addition to the Corto-Real, several escort ships along its European route (Danish, Italian, British), as well as Australian and American. Commanded by Commander Coelho Gomes, the frigate is manned by 197 sailors and military personnel, with an embarked Lynx MK-95 helicopter and its operational detachment, a marine rifle team and a diving team.
A political and operational act
For the Portuguese, as the communicated of the General Staff, the integration of the frigate is both a political act — " as part of the common commitment to international security — but also operational. It aims to " optimize the capabilities of the French aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" and strengthen interoperability between allied navies ».
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde, with Romain Mielcarek)
