French units as reinforcements in the Indian Ocean

(B2) The helicopter carrier FS LHD Tonnerre and the frigate La Fayette were deployed off Somalia in March

They were joined by a Falcon 50 aircraft from the French Navy's 24 F squadron and an Alouette III helicopter from the 22S squadron of the amphibious helicopter carrier ship Tonnerre (L-9014).

The two ships belonging to the Jeanne d'Arc group, provided support to the European counter-piracy operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta. They carried out maritime surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

An opportunity also for France to reaffirm » the importance of securing the strategic maritime routes of the region and of « the French commitment alongside the Somali and Djiboutian coastguards ».

(MHA)