French ships call at Cochin Port

Kochi, Jan 12 (UNI) The French Helicopter Carrier ''Jeanne d' Arc'' and anti-submarine frigate ''Georges Leygues,'' part of the Training Squadron for the Naval Officers, today called at the Cochin Port on a seven-day visit.

The squadron and the carrier are commanded by Captain Gilles Tillette de Mautort and the frigate is headed by Commander Jean-Marie Lucas.

Addressing reporters onboard the carrier, Captain Tillette said the ships which left Brest in France would return in May after visiting various countries in the Mediterranian, Indian Ocean and South China Sea.

He said the primary aim of the expedition was to impart training to cadets and equip them to become full-time officers in the French Navy.

During the stay here, the Navy would be interacting with Indian Navy personnel on a wide variety of related subjects. For the cadets it was a platform to enrich mutual knowledge through crossed-visits, exchange, sports and social events, Captain Tillette said.

As the French Navy and Indian Navy has close relations, he hoped that this visit would help to foster the mutual maritime ties.

The 12,000 tonne carrier, commissioned in 1964, has the capacity to carry four helicopters onboard and can accomodate 10 copters, light or heavy during a mission.

The carrier with 40 officers, 150 cadets, 460 crewmen has the weaponary power of two 100 mm automatic simple gun turrets and six missile launchers.

The Captain said there were 21 cadets from 16 countries, including one from India, who would board from here and disembark at Singapore, the next port of call.

He said the mission of the carrier, includes training of cadets, operational missions, national and international solidarity, and maritime protection which includes fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, piracy and illegal shipping.

The carrier's sister ship ''Georges Leygues,'' an anti-submarine frigate commissioned in 1979, was the first of a series of seven ships dedicated to anti-submarine warfare.

Having joined the Training Squadron in 1999, the frigate now works with the carrier for common training mission for the cadets.

UNI