French warships ‘ready to go now’ for Gulf deployment, says admiral

French warships and minehunter drones are prepared for immediate deployment to the Arabian Gulf, according to Rear Admiral Remi Thomas, the French navy's chief of staff for plans and programmes. The French forces have mine-countermeasure vessels and autonomous systems already in place for the Middle East operations. These include two minehunters and drones aboard the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary Lyme Bay, which has been converted into a mother ship for unmanned minehunting systems.

Thomas made these remarks before the Euronaval exhibition in Paris and as the Iran conflict shows no signs of resolution. France has positioned frigates in the region and is ready to maintain a permanent naval presence once a stable peace agreement is reached between the US and Iran. Iran is believed to have laid numerous mines during the conflict, posing a threat to merchant shipping.

The French navy plans to launch a tender to charter two vessels for mother ships supporting its expanding fleet of surface and submarine drones. Additionally, Brig Gen Francois Watteau announced the acquisition of 12 more unmanned surface vessels to bolster mine-clearing efforts. The system, developed in collaboration with Britain, is expected to remain operational for up to ten years and will be deployed in the Middle East.