France's defence ministry said on Saturday its fighter jets and one warship had shot down four drones in the Gulf of Aden.
"This defensive action contributed directly to the protection of the cargo ship True Confidence (under Barbadian flag), which was hit on March 6 and is currently being towed away," it said in a statement.
A ministry spokesperson confirmed the four drones were among the 15 destroyed in total by the coalition.
French forces have been operating in the Red Sea as part of the European Union's parallel Aspides mission -- announced last month -- to protect international shipping from the Huthi attacks.
