A high level of interoperability for the Capricorne

The Marine nationale vessel had left Toulon last January 20 to take part in various missions leading it from the French coastline to the Italian, Turkish, Greek, and Maltese coasts. This deployment was marked by a one-month integration into NATO's permanent mine warfare Task Group in the Méditerranée, the Standing NATO Maritime Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2). This integration confirmed the high level of interoperability of the Capricorne with allied mine warfare forces. It also participates in the contribution of the French armed forces alongside their NATO allies to the Alliance's permanent and reactive posture in the Méditerranée.

NATO STEADFAST DART

During this deployment, the Capricorne carried out numerous missions and exercises. First of all, the SURMINES mission to protect French maritime approaches, notably the port of Sète, from January 20 to 24. Then, it participated in the NATO STEADFAST DART exercise from February 10 to 17, alongside the offshore patrol vessel (PHM) Commandant Birot and 17 military vessels from allied countries. The major STEADFAST DART exercise is the first large-scale deployment of NATO's Allied Reaction Force (ARF) on the Alliance's eastern flank. Designed to react quickly to any security deterioration within NATO member states, this exercise brought together the armed forces of 9 allied nations, including France. It consisted of a land component in Roumanie and a maritime component in the mer Égée. The 50 sailors of the Capricorne were integrated with 10,000 military personnel involved in this exercise, which aimed to demonstrate the Alliance's capability to defend the territories of its eastern flank within the framework of a joint operation. The Capricorne, integrated into the SNMCMG2, showed its ability to detect, classify, identify, and neutralize mines laid in a landing exercise area. The crew of the Capricorne proved their ability to operate in different theatres of operation to secure deployment areas. They thus participate in strengthening the credibility and effectiveness of NATO forces in real conflict scenarios.

ARIADNE WARFARE EXERCISE

Finally, the minehunter participated in the Greek mine warfare exercise ARIADNE organized off Crête from March 5 to 11. This exercise allowed the Capricorne to maintain its military collaboration with the Greek navy's mine warfare forces and Romanian navy military divers through a high-intensity tactical scenario. This also included joint exchanges and exercises with the Forces armées maltaises, a strategic European ally in the center of the Méditerranée. Furthermore, the French ship participated in the SITMINE mission to clear historical explosive devices in Corse from March 26 to April 3. The Capricorne counter-mined two moored mines, laid near Bonifacio during the Second World War, thus contributing to the free flow of maritime traffic. It participated in the clearance of a third moored mine and historical ammunition from two protected marine sites. Finally, the Capricorne was engaged in the SURMINES mission to protect French maritime approaches, notably Port-la-Nouvelle, from April 5 to 9. This deployment contributes to the defense of Europe's maritime approaches by France alongside its partners and its NATO allies. •