Greek and French Frigates conduct joint naval drills

Europe, News December 19, 2021 , by IRIA No Comments

The Greek Navy frigate Salamis and the French Navy Marine Nationale FREMM Frigate Auvergne conducted naval exercises off Crete island: the French Ministry of Defense said in a statement on December 14.

During the drills, the Greek and French naval vessels conducted a formation navigation sequence, helicopter cross-decks, and established tactical data links to exchange tactical information.

The French and Greek Frigates also joined forces in anti-air warfare exercises against four F-16 and F-4 fighters of the Greek Air Force, while two other F-16 fighters ensured an air defense mission’s success.

The recent naval drills were conducted as part of the strategic partnership signed between Greece and France, under which both countries conducted a series of joint exercises in 2020 and 2021, which included last month’s joint drills by Auvergne with the Greek frigate Themistokles.

French and Greek vessels sail in formation during a joint military drills in Mediterranean sea on August 13, 2020. (Image Credit: Greek Ministry of Defense via Reuters) — *^{French and Greek vessels sail in formation during joint military drills in the Mediterranean sea on August 13, 2020. (Image Credit: Greek Ministry of Defense via Reuters)}*

France and Greece signed the strategic partnership agreement on September 28, 2021, to strengthen and sustainably structure defense cooperation between the two countries. The drills contribute to strengthening Europe’s strategic sovereignty and autonomy and ensure joint commitment for respecting international law, particularly the law of the sea.

At present, the French Navy’s Aquitaine-class frigate Auvergne is deployed in the Mediterranean. The ship, as well as its NH90 NFH Caïman helicopter, heading for the eastern Mediterranean to take part in Operation Chammal in order to fight the terrorist organizations Daesh.

Earlier on November 18, France held a multilateral maritime exercise Polaris 21 in the Mediterranean Sea. The drills were joined by the U.S., Italian, Greek, Spanish, and UK maritime forces. The exercises helped NATO allies to develop high-end carrier strike group-level warfighting interoperability.