Australian, French Ships Meet in South China Sea

As part of a Royal Australian Navy Task Group deployment to North and South East Asia, HMA Ships Arunta, Stuart and Sirius have rendezvoused with the French frigate FNS Vendemiaire in South China Sea.

Following port visits to Zhanjiang, China, by HMA Ships Arunta and Stuart and Da Nang, Vietnam, by HMAS Sirius, the ships have met at sea with the French frigate in international waters off the coast of Vietnam. The navies of Australia and France will work on enhancing their level of interoperability and maritime awareness in the region.

The four ships planned to 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.

Training was undertaken yesterday, November 3, before the vessels continued their separate missions.

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Image: Australian Navy