– Navy Recognition – The French Navy announced its carrier battle group (CVBG) just deployed for Operation “Bois Belleau”. The group is centered on the French Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91). Its escort is consists in the Horizon class AAW Destroyer Forbin (D620), the Georges Leygues class anti-submarine Frigate Jean de Vienne (D643), the Durance class replenishment oiler Meuse (A607) and Rubis class SSN (nuclear-powered attack submarine)

– Aviation Week – The Adroit offshore patrol vessel, designed and built by France’s naval systems group DCNS on its its own funds, has been on loan to the French navy since summer 2011. The navy will put it through its paces for another year before handing it back to DCNS which says it has some very interested potential customers for the ship.

– Navy Recognition – French Navy Dixumde LHD (Mistral class) sailed off on alert from Toulon naval base. With a record (for the class) load of French Army troops, vehicles and equipment belonging to a battalion task force (JTF-battle group) the amphibious vessel contributes to the strengthening of the French military deployed in Operation Serval.

– Navy Recognition – Navy Recognition was recently invited by DCNS to visit their Lorient (Brittany) based shipyard. The Lorient site specializes in surface vessel. It was the birthplace of many French Navy vessels such as Aviso type ships, the La Fayette class of frigates (and its export derivatives) and even several classes of cruisers before and after World War II. We also took this rare opportunity to sit down and ask a few questions to Vincent Martinot-Lagarde, FREMM Programs Manager.

– Defense News – France regretted the prospect of reduced cooperation with the British fleet air arm following London’s selection of the F-35B short-takeoff, vertical-landing version of the Joint Strike Fighter, and hoped collaboration would continue.

– Defense Technology International – As promised in the previous post here are some photos of the Aquitaine’s living quarters.

– Defense Technology International – The first of class of the French Navy’s FREMMs, the Aquitaine, is currently undergoing the third of its four sea-trial missions, this one to check the combat management system. Despite the large numbers of people aboard (DCNS engineers and the French naval personnel actually sailing the ship), a small handful of journalists was able to squeeze aboard earlier this week and photograph almost everything.

– Defense Technology International – Today I invite you to join me on a photographic foray aboard the BPC Dixmude, the third of the multi-mission amphibious landing helicopter docks to be delivered by STX and DCNS to the French Navy.

– Defense Technology International – A look at the French Navy’s contribution to operations in Libya.

– Defense Technology International – The first-of-class Gowind corvette, the Adroit, was today put at the disposal of the French navy. This unusual procedure took place because the navy has not bought the ship—it is borrowing it from the constructor, DCNS, for the next three years.

– Defense Technology International – I don’t know whether horizontal rain and deep puddles are auspicious for ship naming ceremonies but if they are then DCNS’ latest creation, the Adroit first-of-class Gowind ocean patrol vessel (OPV) is a lucky ship indeed.

– Defense Technology International – Since 2008, the French defense ministry has ordered four production-model Engin de Débarquement Amphibie Rapide (EDA-R) craft from CNIM, with an option on two more, with the goal of providing each of the three Mistral-class amphibious-warfare ships with two of the craft. The first of these is to be delivered in September. Unit cost is EUR15 million.

– Defense Technology International – The French army and navy have never before worked in such close cooperation in a major operational mission as they are today in Libya, says French Army Chief of Staff General Elrick Irastorza.

– Defense Technology International – French shipbuilder DCNS raised eyebrows at last October’s Euronaval show with its extraordinary SMX-25 concept for a submarine like no contemporary design – sharp-prowed, with a big but low sail and a jet-like stern. At the IMDEX show in Singapore last week, DCNS gave a few more details of the design.

– Defense Technology International – The first of class FREMM Aquitaine has just completed three weeks of sea-trials and according to DCNS, which built the frigate, the French navy is very pleased, notably with its maneuverability and propulsion.

– Associated Press – As French navy Rafale and Super Etendard fighter-bombers carrying laser-guided bombs catapulted Wednesday off the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier into a cloudless Mediterranean sky, officers onboard described the difficulties they face: Despite all the modern technology, troops loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi are harder than ever to identify from the air.

– Flight Global – French navy Dassault Rafales have flown their first sorties in support of the coalition campaign against the regime of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, launching from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

– Daily Telegraph – French fighter jets could be stationed on Britain’s new aircraft carrier as the two nations’ navies become “interdependent,” the French defence minister has said.

– Defense Technology International – The French navy could have done without this embarassment just before the Euronaval show opens next Monday: their flagship Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier which should have been away on a four-month foreign tour in the Indian Ocean never left on October 15 because of a small electrical problem.

– Associated Press – A French Navy spokesman says aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has been forced to return to port for repairs on the day it set sail for a four-month mission to support the fight in Afghanistan.

AFP – French navy rebuilding Iraq ties with port call

At Iraq’s southernmost tip, windswept sands and oppressive heat greeted a once-familiar visitor — a French naval vessel, making port in the country for the first time in 32 years.

St. Petersburg Times – Arrival of French Ship Fuels Debate

Hundreds of St. Petersburg residents, many of them navy officers and shipbuilders, lined up in the fog on Wednesday to visit the French warship The Mistral, which arrived in the city on Monday and which the Russian military hopes to buy.

Associated Press – French ship Russia wants to buy in St Petersburg

A French amphibious assault ship like the one Russia hopes to buy arrived Monday in St. Petersburg, fueling concern in Georgia and other ex-Soviet nations that Russia is upgrading its navy to intimidate its neighbors.

Associated Press – Somali pirates seized after firing on French ship

European Union naval forces captured seven Somali pirates after they tried to take over a French fishing vessel, which repulsed the attack with gunfire.

BBC – Pirates hit navy ship ‘in error’

A group of Somali pirates has been captured after attacking a French navy ship by mistake, apparently thinking it was a harmless cargo vessel.