French Navy expands global operations from the Pacific to the Red Sea

New nuclear attack submarine begins sea trials

One of the most significant developments was the first sea deployment of the nuclear-powered attack submarine De Grasse, the fourth unit of the Suffren-class under France’s Barracuda program. The submarine departed from Cherbourg to begin its initial sea trials.

These trials represent a critical phase of testing, covering propulsion systems, sonar performance, combat systems, and operational safety. The Barracuda program will deliver six next-generation nuclear attack submarines designed to replace the aging Rubis-class fleet.

Once operational, the vessels will significantly expand France’s capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, precision strike missions and support for special operations forces.

NATO exercise STEADFAST DART 26 in the North Atlantic

French naval forces are also participating in the NATO exercise STEADFAST DART 26, currently taking place in the English Channel and the North Sea. The exercise involves approximately 10,000 personnel from 13 NATO member states.

The drills focus on rapid deployment and integration of multinational forces across maritime, air and land domains. France has contributed several naval and aviation assets as part of its deployed carrier strike group.

STEADFAST DART is designed to test the responsiveness of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force and enhance coordination between allied navies during high-intensity operations.

Protecting critical seabed infrastructure near Norway

French naval assets are also integrated into NATO efforts to secure critical maritime infrastructure off the coast of Norway. Patrol vessels and maritime surveillance assets are tasked with monitoring areas containing underwater cables, pipelines and energy infrastructure.

Since the sabotage incidents involving the Nord Stream pipelines, the protection of seabed infrastructure has become a strategic priority for NATO members operating in the North Atlantic and North Sea regions.

Mine countermeasure operations in the Mediterranean

In the Mediterranean Sea, a French tripartite mine countermeasure vessel has joined the NATO Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) as part of Operation Noble Shield.

The mission focuses on safeguarding maritime traffic along key shipping routes and ensuring the continued freedom of navigation in the region. Mine countermeasure groups remain a critical element of NATO’s maritime security architecture, capable of detecting and neutralizing naval mines in strategic sea lanes.

Anti-submarine warfare training in Dynamic Manta 26

A French Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft operating from Sicily is currently participating in the NATO exercise Dynamic Manta 26, one of the alliance’s most important anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drills.

The exercise brings together naval forces from ten allied nations and involves surface ships, submarines and maritime patrol aircraft. Training scenarios focus on detecting, tracking and countering submarine threats in complex maritime environments.

Red Sea security operations under ASPIDES

French frigates, including FREMM multi-mission frigates and air-defence destroyers (FDA), continue to operate in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf as part of the European Union’s Operation ASPIDES.

The mission aims to protect commercial shipping lanes from attacks involving drones, missiles and other asymmetric threats that have increasingly targeted merchant vessels in the region.

Ensuring the safety of maritime traffic in this corridor remains vital for global trade, as a significant portion of international shipping passes through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Strengthening partnerships in the Pacific

On the southern Pacific Ocean, a French offshore patrol vessel is participating in the Southern Winds mission, which focuses on regional cooperation and maritime security.

During the deployment, the French patrol vessel conducted joint maneuvers with the Indonesian Navy frigate KRI Diponegoro. The exercises aimed to improve interoperability between both navies and strengthen operational cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

France maintains a permanent naval presence in the Pacific due to its extensive overseas territories and one of the world’s largest exclusive economic zones.

A navy with global reach

The scope of recent deployments illustrates the strategic reach of the French Navy. Operating simultaneously across multiple theaters — from European waters to the Indo-Pacific — Marine Nationale continues to combine high-end military capabilities with maritime security operations and international cooperation.

In an increasingly complex maritime security environment, France remains one of the few European naval powers capable of sustaining continuous multi-theatre naval operations worldwide.