La Perouse: The five-national naval exercise led by France has started its third edition in the Indian Ocean. The practice aims to improve the interoperability between the navies of India, the US, Australia, France and Japan. The Le Perouse will promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the participant countries.
Per the update shared by the Ambassador of France, Emmanuel Lenain, Navy ships of the participating nations, India, the United States of America, Australia and Japan, have joined the helicopters of French Navy Helicopters. The participants committed to creating a rules-based Indo-Pacific.
The Navy exercise will help the countries develop their operational and tactical skills. The countries will also understand the other nations’ maritime methodologies, which will improve their ability to operate together. The exercise further aims to deepen the military relations between India, France, Russia and the US.
The first edition of the La Perouse was held in 2019. The navies of Australia, Japan and the US attended the first edition of the naval exercise. India participated in the second edition of the Naval training for the first time in 2021. These events, naval exercises, and other activities aim to promote a free, open, inclusive, and rule-based ordering of the Indo-Pacific. These will support freedom of navigation ad peaceful use of the seas.
The 2021 edition of the La Perouse completed the QUAD (India, USA, Australia and Japan) force representation in the France-led naval exercise. Sources suggest that the Indpo-Pacific region is turning into a serious naval theatre. The QUAD has a significant role to play in the Indian Ocean Region.
This is apparent due to the successful execution of the cooperative engagement capabilities of the Naval powers through naval exercises like formation sailing, live fire drills, Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and more. Meanwhile, China is observing the sea denial poloicy and seeks to establish a defensive parameter around the seas under its jurisdiction.
