The Egyptian and French navies have conducted the joint naval exercise "Cleopatra-2024" over several days in the Northern Fleet’s operational area in the Mediterranean Sea, the Egyptian armed forces announced.
The training program included Egyptian and French naval forces who carried out numerous activities, including lectures to unify operational concepts among participants.
Key exercises included visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations for non-compliant vessels, air defence drills against hostile aerial targets, at-sea replenishment and refueling, and live-fire artillery exercises to neutralize and destroy surface threats.
The participants practiced various naval formations, demonstrating high coordination between the units involved.
According to the Egyptian Army, this joint exercise reflected the strong relationship between the Egyptian and French armed forces. It aimed to maximize mutual capabilities, exchange expertise, and enhance the security of maritime theatres against diverse threats.
Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, commander of the Egyptian Navy, and Vice Admiral Christophe Lucas, commander of the Mediterranean Maritime Zone in the French Navy, and senior leaders from both naval forces attended the main phase of the exercise.
Source: Al-Ahram Online
