French frigates Lafayette and Montcalm sent to Lebanon

[tocqueville]

http://www.defense.gouv.fr/sites/ema/enjeux_defense/operations_exterieures/liban/informations_generales/liban__operation_baliste./

"the aim of "Operation Baliste" (Baliste = Roman Catapult) is to bring aid to the Lebanese populations"

Besides the helicopter carrier Sirocco and the BPC Mistral (heavy troop deployment carrier) two frigates are sent to Lebanon.



the Frigate Montcalm is a specialized anti-submarine unit



the Lafayette frigate

The ship is designed to accommodate a 10 tonne helicopter in the Panther or NH90 range (they are capable of harbouring the Super Frelon and such heavy helicopters). These helicopters can carry anti-ship AM39 or AS15 missiles, and can be launched during a 5 or 6 sea state, thanks to the Samahé helicopter handling system.

Armament :

1 x Crotale CN2 launcher (8 missiles on the launcher, 18 missiles in magasine)
Provision for 16 Aster 15 missiles in vertical launchers
8 x Exocet MM40 block II missiles

[whistle]

1. Sleek looking ships, who are they going to Lebanon to confront

[tocqueville]

2. protecting convoys primarily n/t

[whistle]

3. Okay, that is essential

[kestrel91316]

4. Before I opened this thread and saw the pics, I thought "French frigates"

and what came to my mind's eye, probably triggered by the name Lafayette, was frigates, alright - the kind with SAILS, lol!

18th century type.