French Navy's Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ‘Tonnerre', a state-of-the-art Mistral-class vessel, has berthed at the harbour here for a four-day visit on Wednesday.
Captain Phillippe Ebanga, Commanding Officer of ‘Tonnerre', on Wednesday morning called on Rear Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Sea Training of the Southern Naval Command.
Jerome Bonnafont, Ambassador of France to India, will arrive here on Friday in connection with the ship's visit.
Traiingh cruise
The Tonnerre is on a training cruise for nearly 120 midshipmen.
The ship was successfully involved in an anti-piracy operation when it was about 450 nautical miles off the Somali coast in early May. Capable of carrying out a wide range of missions, including amphibious and air support operations, crisis management, command and control and medical support, the ship has the versatility to carry up to 12 medium or 16 light attack helicopters; 110 armoured vehicles or 13 tanks; and troops numbering about 650, depending on its type of mission.
It will cast off Kochi on Saturday.
