(B2) France has just deployed in the eastern Mediterranean (MEDOR) several maritime and air assets
the La Fayette, Forbin and Latouche-Tréville frigates as part of Operation MEDOR (credit: Armed Forces Staff / DICOD)
three frigates
The surface action group ('surface action group or SAG) is made up of three frigates which converged on returning from operations: the light stealth frigate FLF Lafayette (F-710) (returning from Operation Chammal, deployed in Syria-Iraq against Islamic State terrorist groups), the anti-submarine frigate FASM Latouche-Treville (D-646), which has just completed its mandate within the EU maritime operation (EUNAVOR Med Irini), the air defense frigate FDA Forbin (D-620) who commands the group.
... and two planes
Two air assets support this group: an Atlantic 2 maritime patrol aircraft, currently deployed in La Sude (Greece) and an Air Force E3-F Awacs aerial surveillance aircraft.
The combination of sensors
It is up to the ships to first establish " the air-sea tactical situation ". To the air means extend the area covered » and, with the diversity of sensors, « consolidate the characterization of activities in the area ". Several flights of on-board helicopters — the NH90 of the Forbin (which belongs to the 31F patrol) and Panther du Lafayette (which belongs to the 36F patrol) took place.
Objective: monitor and deter...
The objective is threefold according to the staff of the armies: 1. "Toimprove self-assessment » of situation in this « vast theater "which takes on" a certain strategic importance “, 2. Manifest “ ostensibly the presence of France” in the area and its " commitment to respect for the freedom of navigation “, 3. Be ready to intervene “ effectively in the event of a violation of international law ».
Turkey in the sights
The target is not indicated. But it is very clear: it is Turkey and its drilling in the Greek or Cypriot maritime zones. Ankara thus issued, at the end of October, a new navigation message (Navtex), extending the action of its three drilling and seismographic research vessels: Oruc Reis, Ataman et Genghis Khan. This under military protection. The Turkish Navy and Air Force also started an exercise in early November in the area (with the US Navy), called 'Blue Whale 2020'.
A ripple effect
It should not be denied either that this naval air presence also has a training value for the crews in air-sea surveillance operations (1). This makes it possible to test the proactivity of forces and the proper coordination between air and maritime means, but also to check the proper “ aggregation of the different means and their immediate connectivity ».
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
A vector of international presence which is called upon to develop. Most multinational operations today are of this type, whether within EUNAVFOR Med Irini or EMASOH (read: Relief in the Strait of Hormuz).
Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).
