From September 12 to 16, 2022, the Franco-Egyptian operational cooperation activity (ACO) CLEOPATRA was held off the coast of Toulon. For the occasion, a Gowind-type corvette, the Al Moez , traveled from the naval base in Alexandria to take part in these 5 days of high-level training.
On the French side, the air defense frigate (FDA) Chevalier Paul , the multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Provence and the command and supply building (BCR) Marne took part in a series of joint exercises aimed at strengthening naval cooperation between the two partner countries: refueling maneuvers at sea, 76 mm firing, progressive then simultaneous exercises in the three areas of anti-aircraft, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare . With the help of Egyptian special forces, the Detroyat marine rifle battalion, and air resources from Flotilla 31F, inspection team and rope-rope maneuvers were carried out from French and Egyptian buildings, demonstrating a culture joint maritime interdiction actions and our interoperability.
Traditionally taking place off the Egyptian coast and more oriented towards amphibious cooperation, the CLEOPATRA exercise demonstrated through the 2022 edition that the two countries know how to coordinate and work together in various areas of combat with a common vision of the issues operational readiness for high-intensity combat. During a visit aboard the Chevalier Paul on Thursday 15 September, the Chiefs of Staff of the two navies were able to observe that the common know-how illustrates the strategic will of the two countries to respond to the security challenges of the Mediterranean in the years to come. come.
Since 1994, the CLEOPATRA operational cooperation activity has brought together the Egyptian and French navies. Privileged partners in the Mediterranean theatre, the two countries maintain skills and a capacity for joint work necessary for the stability of the area, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean.
