RAN, French Navy Hold Joint Exercises in S. China Sea

 

HMA Ships Arunta, Stuart and Sirius, have rendezvoused at sea with the French frigate FNS Vendemiaire as part of a Royal Australian Navy Task Group deployment to North and South East Asia.
 
Following successful port visits to Zhanjiang, China, by HMA Ships Arunta and Stuart and Da Nang, Vietnam, by HMAS Sirius, the ships have rendezvoused at sea with the French frigate FNS Vendemiaire in international waters off the coast of Vietnam.
 
The assembly of the French and RAN warships presented another valuable opportunity for the navies of Australia and France to exercise together, further enhancing our level of interoperability and maritime awareness in our region.
 
The four ships will conduct a series of routine tactical maritime training activities, including ship manoeuvering, flying operations with Arunta’s embarked Seahawk helicopter, a refuelling at sea activity with Sirius and a live firing using close range weapons against a static target.
 
The French ship Vendemiaire is no stranger to the RAN crews as the Noumea based frigate is a regular visitor to Australia, most recently for the International Fleet Review in Sydney in 2013 and in Sydney in April this year.  She will be  in Sydney again in December.
 
The Vendemiaire had recently completed a ships visit program with the People’s Liberation Army – Navy in Zhanjiang over the period 27 – 30 October, just prior to the visit by Arunta and Stuart.
 
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston, AM, RAN said: “The conduct of regional naval engagement is an important component of relationship building.
 
“The Vendemiaire, being based out of Noumea, is well known in our region and the opportunity for our ships to train together is always beneficial.”
 
The ships will train together on 3 November before heading their separate ways.
 
This Navy to Navy training is part of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) routine regional engagement activities in both North and South East Asia.