French frigate Languedoc opened fire on a drone that military personnel considered a threat to the large container ship CMA CGM Champs Elysees during its passage through the southern Red Sea.
The incident occurred during the night of October 1 near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important commercial shipping routes.
According to available information, the French warship was escorting the container vessel when an unmanned aerial vehicle was detected nearby.
After assessing the situation, the frigate’s crew considered the drone a potential threat and destroyed it using the ship’s weapon system.
The container ship was not damaged during the incident and was able to continue its voyage.
Details of the encounter became widely known following a report published by French newspaper Le Monde on October 15. According to the report, the French military confirmed that the interception had taken place.
CMA CGM Champs Elysees is one of the largest container ships operated by French shipping group CMA CGM. The vessel is approximately 400 metres long and has a capacity of more than 23,000 TEU.
The ship belongs to a series of ultra-large container vessels powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the southern Red Sea remain a high-risk area for commercial shipping due to continuing attacks and the presence of drones near international shipping routes.
The French Navy is involved in protecting merchant shipping in the region, including through the European Union’s EUNAVFOR Aspides operation.
The mission is intended to help protect commercial vessels and maintain freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waters.
However, the presence of a naval escort for an individual vessel does not provide a guarantee of safety for all merchant ships transiting the region.
CMA CGM Champs Elysees continued its voyage following the incident, with no damage to the ship or injuries among the crew reported.
