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The French Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is set to make its first stopover in the Philippines as part of its Indo-Pacific mission, Embassy of France to the said Friday

The Embassy said French CSG deployment was part of the mission CLEMENCEAU 25 and will make an operational break in Subic Bay and Manila before proceeding to Micronesia.

The Embassy said the French CSG is composed of aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, two multi-mission destroyers, an air defense destroyer, and the auxiliary oil replenishment ship Jacques Chevallier.

Mission CLEMENCEAU 25: a demonstration of French naval power

Since last November, The French carrier strike group (CSG) has been engaged in operation CLEMENCEAU 25, a strategic deployment that will take the CSG from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean.

According to the French Embassy, the visit is part of the framework of the letter of intent signed by France and the Philippines in December 2023, which aims to boost their military cooperation and interactions.

French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel and several high-ranking military authorities will board the Charles De Gaulle at sea on Friday.

Before the stopover of the French CSG, the Embassy said the Philippine Air Force will join air interactions with the Navy Rafale of the embarked carrier air wing.

A destroyer of the French CSG will also participate in a bilateral interaction with BRP José Rizal and BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, according to the embassy.

“These interactions are clear demonstration of the willingness to work collectively for maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region where the two countries share economic interests and a need to protect their national citizens,” the French embassy said.

“The stopover also gives the crews a chance to discover the Philippines, interact with Filipinos and meet the NGO ANAK-TNK, which is organizing a basketball match between sailors and young people hosted by the foundation,” it added.