gunboat

• Petit navire à faible tirant d'eau, équipé de canons, généralement utilisé pour le patrouillage côtier ou des opérations militaires en eaux peu profondes.

A small, shallow-draft boat equipped with mounted guns, typically used for coastal patrols or military operations in shallow waters.

1. Armed patrol boatB1formal

   A small boat with a shallow draft that carries mounted guns, typically used for coastal patrol duties.

   canonnière

   • The navy deployed a gunboat to patrol the river delta.
   • Gunboats were often used during colonial times to control waterways.
   • The coast guard operates a fleet of modern gunboats.
   • A lone gunboat intercepted the smuggling vessel.

   Synonymespatrol boat

2. Gunboat diplomacyC1formalpolitical

   The use of naval power, especially by a powerful nation, to enforce foreign policy or intimidate a weaker country.

   Canonnière (diplomatie de la canonnière)

   • The country's foreign policy has shifted from gunboat diplomacy to economic pressure.
   • During the crisis, the government resorted to gunboat diplomacy.
   • Gunboat diplomacy is considered an outdated form of coercion.
   • The region saw a period of gunboat diplomacy in the early 20th century.