The French navy has announced that its fleet, which consists mainly of amphibious assault ships, will conduct joint military exercises in the Indian Ocean around April this year with ships from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, the United States, and other naval forces. It seems that there is an aim to check it.
This was announced at a press conference held by the French Ministry of Defense on the 2nd.
According to this, a fleet consisting mainly of the Mistral-class amphibious assault ship "Dixmude" will depart from Toulon in southern France on the 8th of this month.
For the purpose of training, this fleet will conduct military exercises in the seas around the world for more than 150 days. It is said that military exercises will be held jointly with the ships of
By conducting military exercises in the Indian Ocean in cooperation with Japan and other related countries, France is believed to be aiming to check China, which is increasing its influence in the region.
The captain of the amphibious assault ship, Mokal, told NHK, "This voyage will pass through the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific, which are of increasing strategic importance, and it is very important to train with partner countries in those seas. It's important. Training with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is always fulfilling."