French Navy, Philippine armed forces conduct maritime cooperative activity

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the French Navy engaged in a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) on Friday, February 21, marking the AFP's third consecutive week of joint maritime activities in the West Philippine Sea, within the joint operational area of Northern Luzon Command.

The Philippine and French forces collaborated in a series of activities designed to enhance their interoperability, communication, and defence capabilities.

The Philippine assets involved in this MCA include the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Jose Rizal, the navy patrol ship BRP Gregorio del Pilar, navy C90 maritime patrol aircraft, three Philippine Air Force FA-50PH fighter aircraft, and air force search and rescue (SAR) units.

On the French side are the French Navy aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, the FREMM frigate Provence, the supply vessel Jacques Chevallier, and the air defence frigates Forbin and Alsace.

The series of drills include a communications check exercise (COMMEX), division tactics/officer of the watch (DIVTACS/OOW) manoeuvres, a photo exercise (PHOTOEX), personnel exchange through rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), anti-submarine warfare exercises, and dissimilar air combat training (DACT).

The Charles de Gaulle strike group is participating in the Clemenceau 25 deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. This deployment began at the end of November 2024.