From November 17 to 25, 2025, a French frigate deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean participated in the multinational exercise MEDUSA 14, co-organized by the Egyptian and Greek navies, with the regular participation of Cyprus, France, and other partner countries.
MEDUSA 14 took place off the coast of Egypt, northeast of Alexandria, and involved naval units from Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, and France, as well as numerous aircraft and, for some nations, special forces. The exercise aimed to strengthen interoperability among the participating forces and improve their ability to respond to regional security challenges, such as securing maritime routes, protecting critical infrastructure, and combating trafficking.
Centered on a comprehensive multi-environment warfare scenario, MEDUSA revolved around an operation to recapture a fictional island invaded by a rebel group. The key phases of the operation consisted of reconnaissance, pre-landing air operations, an amphibious assault, and securing the island and its maritime access routes.
Activities conducted included naval combat maneuvers, counter-attack exercises (using aerial and surface drones), night tactical maneuvers, electronic warfare operations, and visit and inspection (VISITEX) training on participating ships. The exercise also included cross-docking exercises involving aircraft landings on various frigates, including a French one.
MEDUSA 14 thus illustrates the strengthened military cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean to address contemporary threats. With the participation of one of its frigates, France reaffirms its commitment to maintaining stability and respecting international law and the law of the sea.