Charles de Gaulle left Toulon on 30 October 2010 for a four-month deployment, its fifth major overseas deployment. Operation Agapanthus took the group from the Mediterranean through the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the Persian Gulf. The French force included Forbin and Tourville, the attack submarine Améthyste, and the oiler Meuse. The listed air group comprised twelve Super Étendards, ten Rafales, two E-2Cs, and helicopters. Demonstrating French presence and reach was part of the mission, together with showing partners what France could contribute as an ally.
Chapter · 44:18-46:08
Operation Agapanthus and a multinational French-led task group
The fifth major overseas deployment left Toulon in October 2010 with a French carrier group intended to demonstrate reach and useful military capacity to partners.