The Moroccan and French navies launched the 33rd edition of the CHEBEC exercise in Toulon on Monday, September 14, with this year’s edition incorporating a cyber component for the first time alongside its traditional areas of focus.
The exercise will unfold in two stages, beginning with several days of dockside training before moving to joint operations in the Mediterranean.
According to the French Mediterranean maritime prefecture and the commander of the Mediterranean maritime zone and district (Cecmed), the participating vessels are initially focusing on preparing and coordinating the various activities.
The program includes maneuvering and navigation simulator sessions, as well as firefighting and flood-control exercises. The Royal Moroccan Navy’s Tarik Ben Ziyad frigate is one of the main vessels taking part in the exercise.
Lors de l’exercice CHEBEC 2026.
At the same time, a Panther helicopter from the Royal Moroccan Navy’s 11F squadron is training in Hyères alongside the French Navy’s 36F squadron. The simulators in Toulon are operating at full capacity as French and Moroccan sailors rehearse the maneuvers that the ships will have to carry out at sea. The tactical configurations are gradually being refined.
The crews are also becoming familiar with coordination procedures between the two navies. Radio communication protocols, agreed signals and the safety distances to be maintained are being practiced repeatedly. This dockside phase will last several days and will establish the groundwork for the subsequent operations.
Firefighting exercises involve both Moroccan and French crews, with the naval base’s facilities allowing them to simulate real-life conditions. Sailors practice extinguishing fires in technical areas and handling rescue equipment, while flooding scenarios are also regularly tested. Pumping teams respond to simulated water ingress and watertightness procedures are checked to prepare crews for emergencies at sea.
While maritime security and safety remain at the heart of CHEBEC, this edition expands the scope of training conducted between the two navies, notably with the introduction of a cyber component, Cecmed said.
Previously contacted by Le360, the French Armed Forces General Staff said that “the Chebec exercise continues to mark an important milestone in operational cooperation between the French Navy and the Royal Moroccan Navy.”
“A pillar of bilateral Franco-Moroccan cooperation, naval activities take the form of joint actions in the areas of training, education, hydrography, oceanography and technical support. The two nations also reaffirm their shared determination to strengthen dialogue and regional cooperation within the framework of the 5+5 Defense Initiative,” the French Armed Forces General Staff said.
