France's most modern warship visits Ho Chi Minh City

The multi-mission frigate Provence (FREMM Provence), the most modern warship of the French Navy, is making a port call to Ho Chi Minh City, scheduled to last a week, starting from March 1.

Multi-mission frigate Provence at Lotus port (HCMC) at noon on March 6.

The multi-mission frigate Provence, a warship belonging to the French Navy's aircraft carrier strike group, is deployed in the Indo-Pacific region as part of the CLEMENCEAU 25 operation.

At a press conference on board the ship at noon on March 6, the ship's commander, Navy Colonel Lionel Siegfried, said: "The FREMM Provence can be considered a representative of the French Navy's modernization program. This is the second ship to be built among our eight state-of-the-art corvettes. FREMM Provence has been officially operational since 2015, capable of independently carrying out all tasks assigned by the French Navy, thanks to both combat and security equipment, with the main mission being anti-submarine warfare."

The Provence has a 3D radar system capable of detecting aircraft targets, as well as surface ships.

FREMM Provence is one of the most modern warships of the French Navy, equipped with air defense, sea-to-sea and anti-submarine warfare systems.

The Provence multi-mission corvette has a displacement of 6,000 tons, a length of 142 m, a width of 20 m, and a crew of 160. The ship is equipped with NH90 helicopters, a 3D radar system capable of detecting aircraft targets as well as surface ships; sensors, sonar; air defense, sea-to-sea and anti-submarine warfare systems...

NH90 helicopter equipped ship

The engine room controls and analyzes the ship's operations.

An officer introduces the sonar system of the FREMM Provence ship.

The FREMM Provence operates with a combination of both electric and gas turbine engines. When it is necessary to move to ensure secrecy, the ship uses the electric engine, and can reach a maximum speed of 16 knots. When the ship needs to accelerate, it can reach 27 knots with the gas turbine engine. The design of the FREMM Provence allows the ship to adapt to any crisis area in the world. In particular, the ship's reconnaissance and sensor systems help the French Navy to be autonomous in assessing the situation.

Ship commander, Navy Colonel Lionel Siegfried (left) and French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet on the deck of the Provence

According to Colonel Siegfried, many exchange programs with the Vietnamese Navy and Coast Guard were carried out during this visit, related to the fields of maritime security, rescue at sea, etc. The sailors of FREMM Provence also participated in a friendly volleyball match with officers and sailors of Naval Region 2. On the civilian side, the Provence was open to a number of delegations to visit the ship, and the crew also had the opportunity to visit and learn about the history and culture of Ho Chi Minh City. "Ho Chi Minh City is a place where history and culture meet modernity. The city is densely populated but very peaceful and secure, and the people are especially hospitable. This is a perfect place for the Provence to dock," Colonel Siegfried commented.

Speaking to the press at a press conference, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet said: "France has territories, with populations and many facilities in the Indo-Pacific region. Our warships regularly operate in this region and at least once a year dock at Vietnamese ports. The port calls are not only part of the warships' activities, but also have important political significance, demonstrating the friendship between the two countries."

According to Ambassador Brochet, this visit of Provence is not like previous visits of French warships. This is one of the most modern warships of the French navy to ever visit Vietnam. FREMM Provence is also one of the most modern warships of France in particular and of Europe in general, according to the French Ambassador.

Next, FREMM Provence, part of the French air force - naval - aircraft carrier task force, has been deployed in the Indian Ocean for several weeks now and is currently transiting the East Sea. The deployment of this air force - naval - aircraft carrier task force is symbolic in terms of military and especially in terms of geopolitics, to reaffirm the commitment of France as well as Vietnam to respect the universal principles of international law: freedom of navigation, freedom of overflight, respect for the UN Charter, and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In addition, the port call of FREMM Provence takes place in the context of Vietnam and France upgrading their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Paris in October 2024. The two countries pledged to strengthen cooperation for regional peace and security, and to work together to achieve these goals within the framework of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), a forum that brings together the navies of countries bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans to enhance cooperation in the naval field.

This courtesy visit of the multi-mission frigate Provence is a testament to the bilateral relationship, and follows the regular visits of ships of the French National Navy to Vietnam, as happened in 2023 and 2024 with the cruisers Prairial and Vendémiaire.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chien-ham-hien-dai-bac-nhat-cua-phap-ghe-tham-tphcm-185250306183506697.htm