Training to keep terror at bay

The war on terror will be a long one and 'we are well-prepared to counter any attack', said a senior French military officer heading a navy task force on a joint military exercise with UAE forces.

Speaking to reporters on board the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, senior officers also praised the competence of UAE pilots and said the training will benefit both the French and the UAE military.

"The war on terror will be a long one", said Rear Admiral Jacques Mazars. "We are prepared for any terrorist threat and are well equipped to protect ourselves from any possible attack".

Mazars said: "The joint training revealed the high professionalism of the UAE military. They are as competent as the French pilots. The training showed that the UAE air force has a high level of preparation."

The Charles de Gaulle is in Abu Dhabi as part of a battle group on a two-and-half month deployment in the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.

The mission dubbed 'Operation Agapanthe' left Toulon, France, on March 1, with the aim of training the naval force for a prolonged period far from its usual bases.

The operation is also aimed to conduct joint training with the air and naval forces of the Gulf countries. The battle group, designated Task Force 473, comprises several ships, including the Charles de Gaulle, the British Frigate FS Jean Bart, the destroyer HMS Gloucester, the SSN FS Amethyste, the oiler FS Meuse for replenishment, the AAW frigate Duquesne and ASW frigate Montcalm.

After transiting the Suez Canal on March 7, the task force took part in exercises conducted with the air forces of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain.

Mazars said the operations went smoothly. He refuted the charge that the presence of the French navy is intended to counterbalance the US deployment in the Arabian Gulf.

The Charles de Gaulle's commander Xavier Magne said high security measures were taken in cooperation with the Gulf states to ensure that the operation would proceed without incident.

Asked whether the ships are vulnerable to terrorist threats, he said the fleet is well equipped to deal with any kind of threat.

"The Charles De Gaulle carries two nuclear reactors K15, generating 150 MW each. Having nuclear power on board, the ship is equipped to face any kind of threat or incident."

The Charles de Gaulle with 1,800 personnel on board, carries missile launchers and has 40 aircraft, including Rafale fighters, Super Etendard strike aircraft, Hawkeye aircraft and Dolphin helicopters.

From Abu Dhabi the mission will go to India. The Charles de Gaulle and the FS Jean Bart will be deployed to Goa, while the HMS Gloucester and the FS Montcalm will go to Mumbai.

In India the task force will perform a major exercise with the Indian navy called 'Varuna 04'.