Corsican Lion Amphibious Exercise

Corsican Lion Amphibious Exercise


Corsican Lion news pictures

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