Deployment of the French Frigate Bretagne in the Indo-Pacific: Implementing French Strategy in the Region
The deployment of the French Navy’s multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Bretagne in the Indo-Pacific in recent months demonstrates France’s capability to project power far from the mainland and solidifies its Indo-Pacific strategy.
Operating in the Asia-Pacific region presents a considerable logistical challenge, requiring careful planning, anticipation and rigorous oversight. Having logistical and technical support points is crucial.
For the first time, a French first-rank frigate participated in a multilateral exercise in the South China Sea (Valiant Shield 2024). The exchanges, port calls and joint exercises contribute to mutual understanding and the building of trust, which are essential for solid and lasting cooperation.
Demonstrating action and projection capabilities is part of the French military’s strategic signaling policy aimed at its counterparts in the region. However, the relative discretion of the TANSKORN mission shows that France could benefit from strengthening its strategic communication to better convey and explain the stakes of its deployments.
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Deployment of the French Frigate Bretagne in the Indo-Pacific: Implementing French Strategy in the Region
Author(s)
Marc JULIENNE
Director, Center for Asian Studies, Ifri
Céline PAJON
Research Fellow, Head of Japan and Indo-Pacific Research, Center for Asian Studies, Ifri
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