The French crew is on a long-range deployment mission called PAGES-22 to New Caledonia. Pacific Ocean From 10 to 18 August. “France is a resident power of the Indo-Pacific, and this demonstrates our commitment to the ambitious long-range air power launch area and our partners. It is only natural that to carry out this mission, we rely on India who are our key strategic partners AsiaFrench Ambassador Emmanuel Lenin said on Thursday.
The operation demonstrated a high level of mutual trust and interoperability between the French and Indian Air Force, further boosted by the fact that they both now fly Rafale jets. “It also portended the concrete implementation of the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, which was signed France And India in 2018,” said a French official.
Apart from France, India has mutual military logistics agreements with the US, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. The French contingent will also participate in the multi-nation “Pitch Black” aerial warfare exercise Australia From August 17th to September 10th.
India is also sending four Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, a C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlifter and an IL-78 mid-air refueling aircraft for the Australian exercise, involving around 100 aircraft and 2,500 military personnel from 17 countries. Will be was first reported by TOI.
The Pitch Black exercise will see air force participation from India, Australia, USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand. and UAE.
French officials said the Pages-22 is a “powerful demonstration” of France’s capability for a “quick deployment” in the Indo-Pacific. “The mission is also evidence that the security situation in Europe has not undermined French and European commitment to the Indo-Pacific. In this regard, it aims to strengthen ties with key strategic partners such as India and enhance security in the region.” and underscoring France’s support for stability.