The 46th Deployment Surface Force for Counter Piracy Enforcement (DSPE), JS AKEBONO conducted a bilateral exercise with the French Navy.

On January 17, the 46th Deployment Surface Force for Counter Piracy Enforcement (DSPE), JS AKEBONO conducted a bilateral exercise with the French Navy’s replenishment ship, JACQUES CHEVALLIER in the Arabian Sea.
The Commanding Officer of JS AKEBONO, TOGAWA Hisato said, “Through the exercise, we strengthened cooperation with the French Navy. Although it was the first time for the JMSDF to conduct an exercise with a replenishment ship of JACQUES CHEVALLIER class, we conducted replenishment at sea safely and smoothly without any problems on our mutual communication and operation. Replenishment ships are very important assets to support long-term development so that I believe that this exercise was helpful to improve the JMSDF’s readiness. JS AKEBONO will take various opportunities to conduct exercises with other Navies to maintain maritime order and ensure the safe navigation of vessels sailing in our operating area.’’
The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, not only for the defense of Japan but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.