French frigate “Aquitaine”, one of the most technologically advanced naval units in the world, has arrived in Colombia’s Caribbean city of Cartagena to strengthen ties and exchange expertise with the Colombian navy.
The 142 metre frigate, constructed in December 2012 by French company DCNS, arrived in Cartagena on Saturday along with its 104 strong crew. The vessel, which comes equipped with a Marine Helicopter specialized for submarine combat, is the first of 11 new instalments in the French navy’s planned modernization programover the coming years.
Aquitaine will remain in Colombia until Wednesday 20 March, and will carry out an exchange of technological advances and tactics in a series of combined training exercises with the Colombian navy intended to support the fight against naval drug trafficking and to improve maritime defense.
Sources
- Fragata francesa “Aquitaine” visitará Cartagena (Armada Nacional de Colombia)
- Llega a Colombia fragata Aquitaine de la Armada francesa (Prensa Latina)
