The amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA) Tonnerre is making a port call in Casablanca from September 13 to 16, 2025. To mark this occasion, a reception was hosted on Saturday by French Ambassador Christophe Lecourtier and Captain Arnaud Bolelli, commander of the PHA. The vessel is scheduled to depart on September 16, heading towards the Gulf of Guinea for the "Corymbe" mission, a three-month initiative aimed at bolstering regional security. Having set sail from Toulon on September 10, the PHA's first port of call is Casablanca. This visit presents an opportunity "for the French and Moroccan navies to strengthen their ties, especially through joint activities, conferences, and visits planned over these four days," according to a statement from the French embassy in Morocco. The embassy notes that this versatile ship is equipped to handle multiple helicopters and amphibious landing craft, facilitating operations between sea and land. It can also accommodate 650 military personnel and features a command center and a hospital. The Tonnerre is also hosting the 2025 class of the Regional Embarked and Digital Instruction Course (SIREN), "which includes a Moroccan instructor and trainee among the 39 participants from 21 African and Southern European countries." The program is designed to enhance "theoretical and practical knowledge on state missions at sea, such as rescue operations, pollution control, and anti-piracy efforts, as well as regional cooperation and crisis management," the source added. This visit to Morocco underscores "the relationship of trust" between the two nations "in the field of defense, and the interoperability of their forces." Beyond training programs, the cooperation between the two navies also includes the annual Chebec exercise, a tradition that has been ongoing for 30 years.
