France Projects Joint Naval Power in Arctic Waters Amid Growing Russo-Chinese Rivalries.

As the Arctic emerges as a zone of growing interest, marked by both climatic disruption and intensifying strategic rivalries, France is asserting its presence through the deployment of the Jeanne d’Arc 2025 task group off the coast of Greenland. Anchored in a tradition of global naval outreach, this mission reflects the French Navy’s ability to operate in extreme environments, combining amphibious capability with joint-force coordination. Composed of the landing helicopter dock Mistral and the stealth frigate Surcouf, the amphibious group continues a mission that began in February 2025, demonstrating the flexibility of an operational format tailored to contemporary challenges. The deployment in polar waters was confirmed by the French Navy in a press release published on June 3, 2025, on the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
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The amphibious group, comprising the landing helicopter dock Mistral and the stealth frigate Surcouf, has been on mission since February 2025, reflecting an adaptable operational model suited to current strategic demands. (Picture source: French MoD)

After sailing along the Atlantic coast from West Africa and making port calls in the French Caribbean and Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the group headed north and crossed into the polar region. The Arctic phase, focused on navigating near Greenland, serves a dual purpose: to train naval cadets in a demanding operational setting and to maintain France’s freedom of navigation in a shifting geopolitical landscape. Crews face uncommon environmental challenges, including sub-zero temperatures, ice fields, strong currents, and low-visibility threats such as growlers, small, barely visible iceberg fragments. Navigating in such constrained waters requires advanced instrument handling and constant vigilance.

Operating in a region rarely visited by French vessels also enhances crew experience in complex environments. The Arctic, once peripheral to global maritime routes, is becoming increasingly contested. In this context, the Jeanne d’Arc group’s presence takes on political and strategic significance, signaling France’s intention to retain access to international waters, including those in high-latitude zones.

Within the task group, the Surcouf frigate, commissioned in 1997, is one of the French Navy’s early stealth ships. At 125 meters in length and displacing 3,600 tonnes when fully loaded, this La Fayette-class vessel is designed for operations in high-threat areas. It is equipped with eight Exocet anti-ship missiles, a 100 mm main gun, short-range defense systems, electronic warfare equipment, and a BlueWatcher sonar. It can also host a Panther or NH90 helicopter. With a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 7,000 nautical miles, the Surcouf is suited for missions in cold, remote maritime zones.

The Mistral, by contrast, serves as a key platform for power projection. At 199 meters long and up to 32,300 tonnes when ballasted, it features a 6,400 m² flight deck and can carry up to 16 helicopters in its hangar. It can accommodate 450 personnel, or 250 plus a 200-member command staff, and includes medical and command facilities. Its diesel-electric propulsion system and twin 7 MW Alstom pods provide a range exceeding 19,000 nautical miles. Its defensive suite includes two SIMBAD missile launchers, two 20 mm Narwhal guns, and several heavy machine guns, supported by a modern suite of communications and electronic warfare systems.

The task group structure also includes a joint tactical component composed of detachments from the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE), the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), and the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG), supported by 35 vehicles. An airmobile group from the Army’s 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment (5e RHC) operates two Cougar and two Gazelle helicopters. These are supplemented by a Dauphin from Flottille 34F and a Camcopter S-100 drone from Flottille 36F. Two landing craft complete the amphibious element.

The Jeanne d’Arc mission, combining advanced training with multinational cooperation, has included joint exercises with Brazilian, U.S., and Norwegian forces. It has also supported national operations such as Mission Corymbe in the Gulf of Guinea and anti-trafficking efforts in the French Caribbean. The task group is expected to call in Reykjavik, then sail on to Norway before concluding its northern leg with a diplomatic port visit in Copenhagen, highlighting Franco-Danish maritime cooperation.

Through this long-duration deployment, France demonstrates its ability to operate across all maritime theatres while providing its future officers with experience in operational naval conditions. In an Arctic that is increasingly contested and under transformation, France adopts a posture of autonomous capability, mindful of the region’s evolving geopolitical significance.