A dense operational record for the frigate Lorraine
CV Édouard Carrard took command of the frigate Lorraine, succeeding CV Laurent Toncelli after an intense mandate.
From July 2024 to September 2026, the mandate of CV Laurent Toncelli was marked by intense operational commitment, as highlighted by the Marine nationale.
The crew of the Lorraine participated in three major deployments, placing them on the front line of recent geopolitical upheavals. The vessel played a key role in intelligence gathering and autonomous situational assessment for France in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the Gulf of Oman during the "12-day war" in 2025, as well as in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Over this period, the frigate logged a total of 306 days away from its home port, including 220 days on operations, traveling nearly 70,000 nautical miles, equivalent to more than three times around the world.
Innovation and local roots
The last frigate of its class to enter active service, the Lorraine has been at the forefront of innovation. Its participation in the Wildfire 2024 and 2025 exercises helped validate the use of new equipment in combating surface and aerial drones, a growing threat. The ship also took part in complex anti-submarine warfare maneuvers and the Salamine exercise, which involved escorting minehunters under threat.
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Alongside its military missions, the frigate strengthened its ties with its sponsor city, Nancy. Several representation activities were carried out, reinforcing relationships with educational institutions, the local marine military preparation program, the 1er Régiment d’Hélicoptère de Combat (1er RHC), and Base Aérienne 133.
A new commanding officer familiar with the frigate
Capitaine de vaisseau Édouard Carrard assumed command of the frigate Lorraine, succeeding CV Laurent Toncelli on September 15 at the Toulon naval base, under the authority of Vice-Amiral d'Escadre Stanislas de Chargères, commander of the Force d’Action Navale (FAN).
Born in 1981, Capitaine de vaisseau Édouard Carrard is an experienced sailor with 24 years of service, including 12 spent at sea across seven combat vessels. An air defense specialist, he knows the Lorraine well, having served as its executive officer from 2021 to 2023.
In this role, he took part in combat missions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Red Sea as part of the European operation Aspides, and the Persian Gulf.
His career includes commanding the training ship Lynx in 2010 and the surveillance frigate Floréal in La Réunion in 2018, where he led counter-narcotics operations. He has served within the Commandement de la cyberdéfense and as a communications advisor in the cabinet of the Chief of the Defense Staff.
A graduate of the École de guerre, he joins from his position as chief of staff to the admiral commanding the Mediterranean zone. A Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur, he is married and has three children.
Photos Marine nationale.