US and allied forces conduct multilateral training exercises in Indo-Pacific

The U.S. Navy’s Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah has participated in the French Navy-led multilateral training exercise La Perouse 2025, alongside other allied and partner nations, in the vicinity of the Indian Ocean.

As disclosed, La Perouse is a biennial, multilateral exercise that seeks to demonstrate a shared commitment to enhancing regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Named after an 18th-century French naval officer and explorer, the exercise is, reportedly, designed to advance maritime security in the region through maritime surveillance, interdiction and air operations through progressive training and information sharing.

Apart from the U.S. Navy’s USS Savannah, participants included the French Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group’s (CSG’s) aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle, Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart-class guided missile destroyers HMAS Hobart, Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa, the Indian Navy’s Delhi-class guided-missile destroyers INS Mumbai, as well as Royal Malaysian Navy’s Lekiu-class guided missile frigate FFG Lekir and Gagah Samudera-class training ship KD Gagah Samudera.

Royal Navy of the United Kingdom was represented by the River-class offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey, while the Republic of Singapore Navy joined the exercise with the Independence-class littoral mission vessel RSS Independence.

Matt Scarlett, Commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7 (DESRON 7), U.S. Navy, commented: “USS Savannah’s opportunity to operate with our foreign partners this week was exciting. The French and American navies have shared priorities and an enduring mission in the Indo-Pacific. Our ability to conduct consistent bilateral operations, conduct information sharing, and participate in realistic scenarios at sea, increases our interoperability as a joint force and ensures sustained maritime security in the region.”

Fred Kacher, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, U.S. Navy, said: “We welcome the opportunity to operate alongside the French Navy, our friend and longtime ally, out here in the Indo-Pacific. Their exercise La Perouse underscores the value our European allies place on this critical maritime region, and we look forward to advancing interoperability at sea between our forces.”