French-Led Multinational Exercise In South Pacific Under Way

Nine nations, 13 ships and more than 30 aircraft are taking part in La Perouse 2025, a biennial multilateral exercise centered around the Indonesian archipelago and led by France.

The first phase of the exercise, which began on January 16, was due to focus on the Malacca and Sunda Straits. The Malacca Strait, connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is one of the world’s busiest; as per the French Navy, it is used by roughly 20% of global commercial shipping and about 85,000 ships pass through it each year.

The second phase of the manoeuvres, due to begin tomorrow (Tuesday) is set to be focused on the seas off Lombok. The French-led biennial exercise is this year centered around the French Carrier Strike Group, which is currently engaged on its wider Clemenceau 25 mission

The other nations taking part in La Perouse 2025 are the U.K., the United States, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Singapore.

On LinkedIn, the French CSG Commanding Officer, Rear Admiral Jacques Mallard commented: “Together, the countries bordering the area are joining forces to train each other to strengthen maritime safety in this region, where over 50% of the world’s maritime traffic is concentrated, and the safety issues that this entails.”

Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Hobart is participating as part of its six-week deployment supporting regional security and stability around the Indo-Pacific region, as per a recent press statement from the Australian Defence Force.

The ship and its 230-strong crew left its home port of Sydney earlier this month; commissioned in 2017, the Aegis destroyer is the lead vessel of the three-ship Hobart Class and is embarked with an MH-60R Romeo Seahawk combat helicopter. The 147m destroyer also carries Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and SM-2 and ESSM surface-to-air missiles.

The Royal Australian Navy's Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones commented: “These deployments… provide the opportunity to engage with our partner nations at sea and in the air to enhance interoperability.”

He added that such deployments “demonstrate Australia’s ongoing commitment to supporting regional security and stability, and promoting a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”

Commanding Officer of HMAS Hobart Commander Alisha Withers, said La Perouse 25 was the largest iteration of the exercise in its history.

“The whole ship’s company is excited to put our training to the test during such a challenging but rewarding event,” Cdr. Withers said.

“It’s also a great honour to work alongside the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, especially as it is the first time this carrier strike group has deployed to the Indo‑Pacific region.”

• You can read more details on the French Navy website and the Australian Government website