Laid down 15 September 1993 Construction started 15 September 1993 Length 125 m | Commissioned 1 April 1997 Fate In active service Launched 12 March 1994 Displacement 3.2 million kg | |
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Courbet is a second-line multi-mission stealth frigate of the French Marine Nationale. She is the third French vessel named after the 19th century admiral Amédée Courbet.
Notable missions
Courbet took part in Opération Baliste. On 3 October 2006, an Israeli fighter penetrated her 2-nautical-mile (4 km) defence perimeter without responding to radio calls, triggering a diplomatic incident. Israel apologised after official protests from the French government [1]. Throughout September the ship was involved in anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, helping to recapture a yacht taken by pirates on September 2.
In December 2009 Courbet escorted the Marine Nationale cruiser Jeanne d'Arc on her final voyage. This was last trip of the famous helicopter carrier that served as a floating embassy and symbol of the French navy for 46 years. Jeanne d'Arc's last voyage in company with Courbet included visits to Africa, South America including Rio to Buenos Aires, the French Antilles, the United States of America including New York City, and Canada. The voyage was completed sometime in May 2010.