France and Australia strengthen their military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region

Australian servicemen during joint training with the United States in Queensland in July 2019 (illustrative image).

REUTERS - JASON REED

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1 min

France and Australia are currently finalizing negotiations on enhanced military cooperation between the two countries, the objective being to ensure security in the Indo-Pacific region, where China's growing ambitions are increasingly worrying. 

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With our correspondent in Sydney, 

Grégoy Plesse

French soldiers and warships stationed in Australian military bases ... This could very quickly become a reality.

The two countries are currently negotiating the terms of a military deal that could see France become Australia's closest ally after the United States. 

► To read also: Indo-Pacific: a new zone of influence to counter China?

A rapprochement that comes as the tone of China, Australia's main trading partner, is increasingly belligerent.

According to Peter Jennings, director of the Australian Institute for Strategic Policy, Canberra is reaching out to Paris.

“

I think that one of the consequences of the pressure inflicted by China is that it has pushed us to forge closer relations with the main European countries,” he

explains. 

Already because they represent an economic alternative but also because we share the same values. 

"

Increased presence in South East Asia

France, present in the region in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, is seen as a solid ally in Australia, which has also bought twelve submarines.

Emmanuel Macron for his part, had already made it known that he wanted to amplify France's engagement in this part of the world.

Moreover, soldiers of the Foreign Legion are currently training in Queensland with their Australian counterparts.

The Air Force will participate in joint military exercises next year and the Navy will do the same in 2023, alongside Australia but also the United States. 

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