French frigate to host Ira Losco and band

The French Navy frigate, Montcalm, sails into Grand Harbour today for a five-day visit coinciding with the festivities marking the French National Day.

The Montcalm, the third of the seven F-70 frigates launched in 1982, is a Toulon-based ship that forms part of the French naval action force with a capability of deploying anywhere in the world.

Originally conceived as a submarine destroyer offering protection to French nuclear submarines, the ship operates mainly in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

It carries a Lynx helicopter and its weapons systems range from anti-submarine torpedoes to anti-aircraft, anti-missile and anti-ship missiles.

Since 2001, the frigate has notably taken part in the Herakles operation, a part of the allied intervention in Afghanistan to ensure the protection and the surveillance of sea traffic by fighting international terrorism and piracy.

Apart from these missions, the Montcalm contributes to international efforts against drug trafficking, pollution prevention and humanitarian disasters.

The ship, commanded by Captain Thomas Lockhart, will host a private special evening tomorrow featuring Ira Losco and her band. It will berth at Pinto Wharf and will not be open to the public.