France says two minesweepers ready for Gulf mission — The National
France has prepared two mine countermeasures vessels and unmanned systems that can be rapidly deployed for operations in the Arabian Gulf. French Rear Admiral Rémi Thomas told The National this in Paris.
According to Thomas, French minesweepers and mine-hunting drones are at a very high state of readiness. He said that the two vessels are ready not only to deploy but also to conduct operations in the Middle East. French maritime drones are already aboard the British support vessel RFA Lyme Bay, which has been converted into a platform for unmanned mine countermeasures systems.
Unmanned systems for mine clearance
France has also deployed frigates in the region and is ready to maintain a permanent naval presence in the Middle East after the United States and Iran reach an effective peace agreement, the rear admiral said. According to the publication, merchant vessels near the Strait of Hormuz remain vulnerable to missile and drone attacks, as well as attacks by fast boats.
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In the coming days, a tender is planned to be announced for chartering two carrier vessels for French surface and underwater drones. Brigadier General François Watteau, responsible for international naval projects at the defence procurement agency, said that France will order another 12 unmanned surface vehicles for mine-clearance operations.
Joint mission with Britain
Britain and France are forming a multinational mission to support freedom of navigation and clear waters of mines. In May, 38 countries expressed political support for the proposed operation. At least ten European NATO states, including Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, are expected to join it with their conventional minesweepers when the security situation in the waters allows.
The Franco-British naval mine countermeasures programme involves the use of surface drones towing high-resolution sonars to search for mines. Once mines are detected, remotely operated vehicles are to identify and destroy them. RFA Lyme Bay has already departed for the Middle East with more than 270 sailors, including over 100 specialists in mine warfare and explosive ordnance disposal.
