Insights on the French ‘Clemenceau 25’ Indo-Pacific Deployment
“During the ‘Clemenceau 25′ mission, the French CSG deployed to the Pacific, a first for the French Navy since the 1960s. While there was obviously a strong commitment to diplomacy, the CSG was not simply on a courtesy deployment, but on a mission: reaffirm French presence in an area where it owns national interests.”
“The CSG was under constant surveillance by France’s competitors, according to the Navy representatives present. Whether overflown by Russian Su-35 off Syria, or welcomed by Chinese ships in South-East Asia. “The presence of the French CSG is both annoying and of great interest to our competitors. As soon as we entered the Luzon Strait, we were shadowed, in particular by a PLAN Type 54 frigate” a senior officer explained. The officer went on to say that they counted between thirty and forty Chinese ships (not counting the militias’ small vessels) in an area equivalent to three quarters of the Mediterranean, which is very “substantial”. “We were ready for anything,” says the Admiral, answering a question about possible confrontations. The French CSG also ‘met’ a Chinese aircraft carrier in the South China Sea.”
Source: Naval News