May has been marked by a series of activities of increasing intensity. This was marked by the successful launch of an ASTER 30 missile on a supersonic target, as part of the URSA MINOR exercise .
The target, launched from Benbecula at very low altitude, was followed by a coordinated chain of allied ships before being destroyed by the French missile launched from the FREMM Normandie . The success of this complex maneuver, also involving the Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal and the Italian patrol boat Giovanni delle Bande Nerre , illustrates the high level of integration and responsiveness of the participating forces. Throughout the week, the crew of the FREMM Normandie continued naval cooperative watch (VCN) trials with its Dutch partners, accompanied by specialists from the DGA and Naval Group . In addition, as part of the exercise, the participating navies conducted realistic close-quarters defense training against drones, as well as a night logistics mission to Glasgow carried out by a Caïman Marine to secure the URSA MINOR launch.
The success of the launch was hailed on site by Vice Admiral de Briançon, Chief of Staff of the Naval Action Force, who then came on board to congratulate the sailors. On May 17, Commodore Dwan, Commander of Task Group 154.64 , also came on board for a technical debriefing of the launch.
The sailors of FREMM Normandie will continue their participation in FORMIDABLE SHIELD 25 for a few more days , before reaching their next port of call in Glasgow.