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Corsican Lion
Amphibious Exercise
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"Corsican Lion" is a Franco-British amphibious exercise in the Mediterranean starting October 18 and ending October 26, 2012. This exercise is an implementation of the Franco-British defense treaty signed November 2, 2010 (Treaty of Lancaster House). It is a large scale naval, aerial and amphibious maneuver involving 5,000 men and 13 warships near the Island of Corsica.
     

Corsican Lion facts:

What is Corsican Lion?
"Corsican Lion" is a Franco-British amphibious exercise in the Mediterranean starting October 18 and ending October 26, 2012. This exercise is an implementation of the Franco-British defense treaty signed November 2, 2010 (Treaty of Lancaster House). It is a large scale naval, aerial and amphibious maneuver involving 5,000 men and 13 warships near the Island of Corsica.

What kind of operations will be conducted?

"Corsican Lion" is an important step along the road towards forging the CJEF (Combined Joint Expeditionary Force), a fully-operational Franco-British force, by 2016 as per the Treat of Lancaster House. "Corsican Lion" exercise will culminate with the amphibious forces simulating a landing operation on an hostile coast, with air support from jets and helicopters.

"The first day of operations at sea has allowed the integration of our respective capacities and was completed by the gathering of all units, thus contributing to the development a Corsican Lion team spirit. Starting today, French and British military are one and the same force" said Contre-Admiral Jean-Baptiste Dupuis, commander of Task Group 473 formed around the nuclear powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. "I expect a lot of Corsican Lion because it is the first step in realizing this future Franco-British expeditionary force with for the occasion, the commitment of Charles de Gaulle aircraft in support of amphibious operations conducted by the British Task Group. "

"This is a historic new chapter for our navies and land forces. We are very much looking forward to working together on this new chapter of interoperability with our French allies" declared Commodore Paddy McAlpine, Commander of the British Amphibious Forces.

Who is participating in Corsican Lion?
The exercise includes Navy, Marines and Army units and personnel from France and the United Kingdom.

French Navy:
Charles de Gaulle (R91), Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier
Chevalier Paul (D621), Forbin-class Anti-Air Destroyer
Mistral (L9013) LHD, Amphibious Assault Ship, Force Projection & Command Vessel
Jean de Vienne (D643),Georges Leygues-class Anti-Submarine Destroyer
Meuse (A607), Durance-class Replenishment Oiler

Royal Navy:
HMS Illustrious (R06), Invincible-class Light Aircraft Carrier
HMS Bulwark (L15), Albion-class Landing Platform Dock
HMS Northumberland (F238), Duke-class Type 23 Frigate
HMS Montrose (F236), Duke-class Type 23 Frigate
RFA Mounts Bay (L3008), Bay-class Auxiliary Landing Ship Dock
Hartland Point, Ro-ro cargo

 
French Navy pictures
Amphibious Maneuvers during Corsican Lion - © D.Moutault - Armée de terre - EMAAmphibious Maneuvers during Corsican Lion - © D.Moutault - Armée de terre - EMAMistral LHD, HMS Bulwark and an EDA-R landing catamaran as seen from a submarine's Periscope during Corsican Lion - © French Navy Charles de Gaulle CVN, HMS Northumberland and Mistral LHD - © French Navy HMS Bulwark (background) and HMS Montrose - © French Navy HMS Northumberland and Mistral LHD - © French Navy Amphibious Maneuvers during Corsican Lion - © D.Moutault - Armée de terre - EMAA French Navy landing craft exiting RFA Mounts Bay - © French Navy French/British combined battle group during Corsican Lion - © French Navy Mistral LHD as seen from a periscope - © French Navy A Rafale M is launched from Charles de Gaulle CVN - © French Navy Royal Navy sailors onboard French Navy Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier - © French Navy

 
Royal Navy Picures

All Pictures: © Royal Navy
 
Videos
© French Navy

© French Army