When the Iranians threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz last month, the French didn’t mess around. They sent the La Motte-Picquet, an F70 type anti-submarine frigate of the French Marine Nationale, off to Hormuz to wave the flag. Sending a vessel which shares a name with famous Franschhoek wine estate La Motte is a double insult, as wine is haraam for followers of the Prophet.

La Motte the ship

The South African connection is reinforced by the news that the vessel is powered by 2 × Pielstick PA 6 V280 STD diesels which will surely keep the Straits open.