Red Sea: France shoots down a drone near a container ship

On the night of October 1–2, the French frigate Languedoc shot down a drone heading toward CMA CGM’s container ship Champs-Élysées in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The merchant vessel, which was being escorted by the frigate, changed course and speed. France’s military staff confirmed that the drone was considered a threat but gave no details about its origin or characteristics. Since 2024, the EU’s Aspides operation has protected maritime traffic from Houthi attacks; more than 150 civilian vessels had received protection by early October 2026.