French Navy’s Foudre-class amphibious assault ship Siroco (L9012) officially deployed on Sunday, February 8, from Mindelo, Cape Verde.
This is the vessel’s tenth deployment in less than twenty years of active service. In Mindelo, the vessel was supplied with equipment necessary for cooperation missions, fight against drug smuggling and piracy, as well as evacuation ops.
Siroco is accompanied by Commandant Bouan (F797), which will escort the LPD through the water of the Gulf of Guinea. Siroco will replace the amphibious assault helicopter carrier Tonnerre (L9014) which recently completed its three-month long mission in the Gulf.
Siroco started its journey from Toulon on January 27 and made a stop in Lisbon from January 31 until February 3, where it was toured by Portuguese authorities.
This represents Siroco’s final deployment. The vessel will be decommissioned upon its returns in the summer of 2015.
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Naval Today Staff, Image: French Navy