On Saturday, the Egyptian and French naval forces conducted naval drills in the eastern Mediterranean, with the participation of the Egyptian Ghost frigate and French Ghost frigate (ACONIT).
In a statement, the Egyptian army stated: “The exercises included many training activities that focus on methods of organising cooperation for the implementation of combat missions in the sea against hostile marine formations with the actual use of weapons in engaging with surface and air targets in addition to the implementation of confrontational battles, with the use of aircraft.”
The statement said: “The training showed the professionalism of the ships’ crews in carrying out combat missions with accuracy and high efficiency, with a focus on common coordination points between all the common elements.”
It added that “these drills come in the framework of supporting the pillars of joint cooperation between the Egyptian and French armed forces, and identifying the latest fighting systems and methods in a manner that contributes to honing skills as well as combat and operational experiences and supporting efforts for maritime security, stability and peace in the Mediterranean.”
These joint naval drills also come at a time when Egypt, Greece, France, and Cyprus are at odds with Turkey over the latter’s interference in Libya and their oil exploration activities in the eastern Mediterranean.