This summer, the French Air Force will conduct several exercises in the Asia-Pacific region, the purpose of which is “to protect sovereign spaces, promote international law and partnerships with neighboring countries,” the Ministry of the Armed Forces announced this Friday.
The “Pégase 24 mission” will take place from June 27 to August 15 and will cover three air bases of the French armed forces in New Caledonia, French Polynesia and the southern Indian Ocean, the ministry said in a statement.
A total of thirteen countries will be visited over eight weeks, with Rafale and Eurofighter aircraft, A400M Atlas and A330 MRTT Phénix participating.
The operation involves a “joint deployment of Future Air Combat System SCAF countries” (future combat aircraft developed by France, Germany and Spain) involving more than 200 pilots in three different exercises.
“This system will also be able to support our forces abroad through stops in New Caledonia, Saint-Pierre, Miquelon and Reunion Island,” the Ministry of Armed Forces also emphasized.
The French Air Force will also take part in high-intensity exercises in the United States (Alaska) and will conduct a series of stops and joint exercises in Canada, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, Malaysia, India. , Qatar, Egypt and for the first time in the Philippines.
Another detachment will be organized with England, also heading to Australia, for exercises between these allies.
The “Indo-Pacific region”, according to the term used by France, is a vast area spanning the Indian and Pacific oceans, the site of growing international tensions between Beijing and Washington.
France, drawing on the strength of its overseas territories, intends to develop its presence in the region together with regional partners and position itself as a “balancing force” in the region.
However, in 2023, senators published a report condemning the “real lack of resources for French ambitions” in the region.
The several thousand troops deployed from Djibouti, a former French colony, to Polynesia do not appear to be enough to match the strength of the Chinese and American armies, the two main players in a territory stretching from India and the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. South.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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