French frigate Surcouf (F711)

The Surcouf (F711) is a La Fayette-class frigate of the French Navy. She was laid down at Lorient Naval Dockyard on 6 July 1992, launched 3 July 1993, and commissioned May 1996.

Since its commission, Surcouf has taken part in numerous missions, notably in Operation Antilope (Gabon and Congo), Operation Trident (Kosovo) and Mission Khor Anga in the Djibouti zone.

On 14 May 2001, Surcouf rendered to assistance to Marc Guillemot skipper of the Biscuits La Trinitaine-Team Ethypharm, who had to abandon his ship after her starboard hull was seriously damaged. The Panther helicopter of Surcouf successfully airlifted the catamarans crew of five to safety.

On 14 October 2004, the Surcouf assisted the Sara 2, a Panamanian cargo ship which ran aground near Yemen. The 16-man crew was successfully airlifted by the Panther helicopter, and later transferred from the frigate to Yemeni coast guards.

Between May 17–21, 2008, the Surcouf  participated in Exercise KhunjarHaad, a multi-national exercise held in the Gulf of Oman. Other participating warships included the American destroyer USS Russell (DDG-59), the British frigate HMS Montrose (F236), the British fleet replenishment tanker RFA Wave Knight (A389), and four other coalition ships conducted air defense; surface warfare operation; visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS); and joint gunnery exercises, which focused on joint interoperability training and proficiency.

In November 2012 FS Surcouf deployed to the Horn of Africa as part of the European Unions Naval Operation in the area. A British Lynx HMA.8 helicopter of 815 Squadron will be on board for the whole four-month deployment, along with 12 personnel including 2 Royal Marine snipers. This is the first extended deployment of a Royal Navy helicopter on a French warship and is the result of a recent treaty between the United Kingdom and France to share military resources and conduct more joint operations.