DÉFENSE ZONE
The French Navy welcomes at the head of the Naval Action Force Vice Admiral (VAE) Christophe Cluzel, who succeeds Admiral Xavier Baudouard. The official handover ceremony was held in Toulon on 30 August.
Vice Admiral Cluzel commanded the patrol vessel La Moqueuse in New Caledonia, the aviso Enseigne de Vaisseau Jacoubet and the air-defence frigate Forbin. More recently, in 2021, he took charge of the French rapid-reaction air-maritime force. Under his leadership, the carrier strike group, centred on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, was committed to crucial missions. During the CLEMENCEAU 2022 mission, the group played a decisive role in the Mediterranean, notably in the fight against Daesh and in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ANTARES mission, in 2022/2023, saw the group operate in strategic areas, from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean.
The Naval Action Force today represents an undisputed maritime power. With some thirty vessels permanently deployed around the world, 10,700 sailors in its service and 98 surface vessels, the FAN is a pillar of French defence. It also has eight naval bases overseas and abroad, specialised groups such as the mine-clearance divers and the Amphibious Flotilla, not forgetting the Nuclear Naval Air Force (FANu). Four centres of expertise complete the set-up, covering fields ranging from diving to cyber defence.
The FAN’s main mission is to ensure the readiness and training of sailors, while guaranteeing the technical availability of equipment. It plays a key role by providing the Chief of the Defence Staff with the forces needed to conduct France’s military operations.
You can subscribe to our magazine and receive our latest issue, whose feature is devoted to Special Operations Command, access exclusive content and take advantage of equipment and gear offers from our partners. Head to the Premium section.
