(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) By Aziza Al-Mathkour
KUWAIT, Dec 3 (KUNA) -- A French Navy frigate made a port call at Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait on Wednesday, reflecting the depth of defense cooperation between France and Kuwait.
This call came to maintain a long history of friendship between the two countries, which will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2026.
In addition to servicing a significant amount of equipment and interacting with the Kuwaiti Navy, this port call provided an opportunity to showcase the French Navy vessel and its missions through dedicated visits and a high-level reception attended by civilian, military, and diplomatic figures.
After docking at Shuwaikh Port, the frigate, at the invitation of its commanding officer Captain Pierre-Louis Josselin welcomed French Ambassador to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin as well as Rear Admiral Hugues Lainأ©, Commander of the French Forces in the United Arab Emirates and the Indian Ocean Maritime Zone, in the presence of the French Defense Attachأ© to Kuwait, Colonel Jأ©rأ ́me Bouju.
The ship also welcomed a group of visitors, including high school students participating in the "Young Ambassador" program, to introduce them to the vessel and its advanced equipment and logistics, showcasing the high level of technology and performance of the French Navy.
The French frigate is under the command of Rear Admiral Hugues Lainأ©, Commander of the French Maritime Zone (ALINDIEN) and the French forces in the United Arab Emirates.
He exercises authority over French naval vessels and aircraft operating in a maritime area extending from south of the Suez Canal in the west to the western borders of Myanmar, Indonesia, and Australia in the east.
The French forces deployed there are tasked with contributing to stability and peace in the region, ensuring maritime security, conducting military operations, participating in the protection of French citizens, and strengthening French defense policy by fostering bilateral military relations with various countries in the region.
The French Navy maintains a continuous operational presence in strategic areas of the world and safeguards the security of international maritime spaces.
Its naval forces maintain a deterrent and visible posture, reflecting France's commitment to maritime security. Through close cooperation with its allies and partners, including the State of Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the French Navy enhances interoperability and collective efficiency, serving regional stability and peace.
On the evening of December 3, 2025, a reception was held aboard the frigate at the invitation of its commanding officer, Captain Pierre-Louis Josselin, and the French Ambassador to Kuwait, Olivier Gauvin, in the presence of Rear Admiral Hugues Lainأ©, Commander of the French Forces in the United Arab Emirates and the Indian Ocean Maritime Zone.
The event was distinguished by the presence of civilian and military authorities, high-ranking officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and defense attachأ©s serving in Kuwait. This allowed for highlighting the depth of the French-Kuwaiti defense partnership and celebrating the French-Kuwaiti friendship on the eve of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.
The reception featured Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Meshal Al-Sabah, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Europe Affairs Ambassador Sadiq Marefi and the Commander of Kuwait's Naval Force Rear Amd. Saif Al-Hamlan.
Also Among the attendees were Acting Director General of KUNA Mohammad Al-Manaie, defense attaches in Kuwait and diplomatic corps members.
On this occasion, the French Ambassador to Kuwait recalled the depth of the French-Kuwaiti friendship, which was exemplified during the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to France where he attended the official military parade on Bastille Day, on July 14, in Paris, alongside the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron.
Ambassador Olivier Gauvin stated: "This naval stop in Kuwait today reflects the strength of the defense partnership between our two countries, a partnership built on solid foundations.
"France and Kuwait have stood together, at the most critical moments, through a clear commitment to sovereignty and security. The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent liberation war marked a decisive turning point in our relationship. Eighteen thousand French soldiers fought alongside their brothers in the Kuwaiti Armed Forces."
This shared experience has forged strong, enduring, and exceptionally deep ties, the effects of which are still strongly felt today within the armed forces of both countries, who know and respect each other well. Furthermore, the 1992 defense agreement remains the oldest one France has concluded in the Gulf region, reflecting a relationship built on trust, loyalty, and continuity.
These values underpin the depth of this cooperation and guarantee its long-term sustainability.
The frigate's commander Captain Pierre-Louis Josselin also expressed his gratitude to the authorities of Shuwaikh Port for hosting the frigate and to the Kuwaiti people for their hospitality.
He said, "It is an honor to be in the State of Kuwait, alongside an armed force with which we share a long-standing and fruitful defense partnership, as evidenced by the large number of Kuwaiti non-commissioned officers who have received training in France. As a sailor, I am particularly pleased to visit a country with such a long and renowned maritime tradition, clearly demonstrated in its values of hospitality."
Under the defense agreement between France and Kuwait, signed in 1992 and renewed in 2009, bilateral cooperation in the defense field is characterized by joint exercises and drills such as "Pearl of the West," "Swift Falcon," and "Arabian Breeze," as well as cooperation in armament and the training of Kuwaiti officers by the French armed forces.
In the naval domain, the Kuwaiti and French navies are well acquainted, thanks to a wide range of distinguished training programs available to Kuwaiti officers, particularly in Cherbourg, home to the prestigious French naval academy.
This strategic cooperation also extends to the land forces, with an increasing number of Kuwaiti officers being sent for training at the Saint-Cyr Military Academy. (end)
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