Interview with Captain Xavier Bagot, Commanding Officer of Air Defense FREMM frigate Lorraine (D657) following the vessel's deployment in the Red Sea.

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After two and a half months of deployment, the Air Defense FREMM Lorraine docked in Toulon on May 30. Having left in midMarch, its crew underwent an intense and demanding mission, successfully contributing to operations aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the southern Red Sea, the BabelMandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. Under threat from Houthi missiles and drones, it experienced its first fire action.

Under the operational control of ALINDIEN, the French admiral commanding the Indian Ocean maritime zone, Lorraine mainly operated within the framework of the European Union operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES commanded at the operational level by Greece and at the tactical level by Italy.

As part of ASPIDES, Lorraine carried out numerous support operations allowing more than 25 vessels, from 30m trawlers to giant 400m container ships, to cross the zone safely. In total, in 45 days, more than 50 missiles and 80 attack drones were deployed by the Houthis. Lorraine placed itself, on several occasions, in interposition between vessels of European interest and the threat. Thus, during the night of May 3 to 4, Lorraine opened fire and destroyed an attack drone that was directly threatening three vessels. These 45 days under threat tested the combativeness and moral strength of the crew, marking a truly founding moment at the start of the unit's operational life.

Lorraine's operational deployment took place in the continuity of the missions of preceding French frigates: Languedoc and Alsace and it is another frigate which has taken over since the end of May to continue France's action in the Red Sea, a vital sea lane of communication for Europeans as well as for the coastal states which sees 20,000 to 25,000 ships transit per year.

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