Visit to Maritime Operation Center by Commander, French Navy Carrier Strike Group, CTF473.

On January 11, Commander, French Navy Carrier Strike Group, CTF473, Rear Admiral Jacques Mallard visited Chief of Staff, Commander in Chief Self Defense Fleet, Rear Admiral KAWAMURA Shinichi in Maritime Operation Center.
France has great influence throughout the world. In addition, it has its territories in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Islands, and is an only country in EU that has a constant military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. In this sense, France is a special partner to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
The JMSDF and the French Navy have carried out bilateral and multilateral exercises many times not only in waters surrounding Japan, but also off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden to build up defense cooperation and exchanges and to strengthen cooperation.
In the conversation, they shared concerns over global security challenges and confirmed not to tolerate unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force. In addition, they concurred to eagerly promote the defense cooperation and exchanges in bilateral and multilateral frameworks including EU, NATO, etc. in order to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness, engages in the defense of Japan, and contributes to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies to uphold and reinforce a free and open international order based on the rule of law.