The Portuguese Air Force, utilizing its EH-101 helicopter, successfully conducted an operation to insert military personnel onto France’s new nuclear attack submarine Le Tourville, described as the “most modern in the world.”
The mission took place last Sunday, March 30, approximately 30 nautical miles (around 55 km) north of the Island of Madeira as part of a training exercise, according to an official statement.
The Air Force detailed that with the helicopter in a stationary flight position over the submarine, two French Navy personnel descended to the hatch via a winch, accompanied by the Recovery-Savior from the EH-101 Merelin helicopter crew.
This operation required precise and synchronized coordination between the helicopter crew and the French submarine’s crew, considering the restricted space of the submarine’s hatch and the instability caused by maritime navigation. The operation was carried out with extreme precision, demonstrating the proficiency and experience of the involved crews, ensuring maximum safety, the statement added.
The FS Tourville is equipped with the highest technology, capable of safely descending to depths of 350 meters. It stretches nearly 100 meters in length and weighs over 5,000 tons.
The exercise demonstrated the Air Force’s capability to integrate joint operations with the armed forces of other nations using diverse and modern resources, thereby enhancing the preparation, experience, and proficiency of its crews in any scenario.
