According to information published by Fox News on February 1, 2023, French special forces boarded an Iranian smuggling vessel bound for Yemen and recovered thousands of assault rifles and anti-tank missiles.
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La Fayette class frigate Guépratte. (Picture source: EMASoH)
Navy Recognition has good reason to believe that the special forces warship in question would be the La Fayette class frigate Guépratte. Indeed, she joined the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz.
On 14 April 2015, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution placing sanctions on Abdul-Malik al-Houthi and Ahmed Ali Saleh, establishing an arms embargo on the Houthis.
About the frigate Guépratte
The La Fayette-class frigate, such as Guépratte, is a multi-purpose warship of the French Marine Nationale. With a displacement of 3200 tonnes and a length of 125 meters, the frigate is equipped with four diesel engines providing a maximum speed of 25 knots and a range of up to 9000 nautical miles.
She has a complement of 12 officers, 68 non-commissioned officers, and 61 enlisted personnel.
Guépratte is equipped with various advanced sensors and processing systems, including a DRBV 15C sentry radar and a Syracuse II communication system. She also features electronic warfare equipment, such as radio and radar interceptors, chaff launchers, and a noise reduction system.
The armament of Guépratte includes anti-ship missiles, guns, and anti-aircraft missiles, providing the ship with significant firepower. She can also carry one helicopter, such as the Panther or NH90, for additional surveillance and tactical capabilities.
