As of 23 March 2012 the Counter-Piracy force of the European Union (EUNAVFOR) which normally includes between 4 and 7 warships patrolling the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa will be joined by two new warships of the French navy; Frigate FS GEORGES LEYGUES and Amphibious Assault Ship FS DIXMUDE.
FS GEORGES LEYGUES, named after the 19th Century French Navy minister and commissioned in 1979, is a multi role frigate. In addition to its high top speed, the ships two Lynx helicopters will significantly increase the EU forces capability to patrol the Indian Ocean and disrupt potential pirates.
On the same day the helicopter carrier FS DIXMUDE, the French Navy’s newest warship also joins the counter-piracy operation. At over 20,000 tons the DIXMUDE is capable of acting as a sea borne, mobile operating base for up to 16 helicopters, adding to the speed of response and reach of EU NAVFOR.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, March 26, 2012; Image: eunavfor