Jakarta, IO – The French Navy resumed the Jeanne d’Arc, an annual, long duration, and joint deployment which aim is to provide officer cadets with “at sea” operational training before joining their units as officers aboard the PHA Dixmude (L9015) and FLF La Fayette (710) from February 8 to mid-July.
The five-month mission is the final stage of the training for the cadets who have spent about two years at the Lanvéoc-Poulmic Naval Academy. Through this mission, the cadets are trained with more than 400 naval officers so they have operational readiness and the ability to face various challenges.
“Since February we have sailed from the Port of Toulon and there are around 120 cadets involved in this naval training. Later, we will take part in the Croix du Sud 2023 exercise in New Caledonia with 15 other countries,” Cadet Maxime told the Indonesia Defense Magazine aboard the PHA Dixmude which docked at JICT II, Tanjung Priok Port, Tuesday (28/3).
Although it focuses on cadet training, the mission also aims to preserve French sovereignty in its overseas territories and to strengthen cooperation with partner countries, one being Indonesia.
According to PHA Dixmude commander Emmanuel Mocard, this port call aims to strengthen bilateral relations, especially defense ties between France and Indonesia because the latter is seen as a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Indonesia is an extraordinary partner for France, as well as part of our interests in the Indo-Pacific region. With this port visit, we carry out various collaborations with the Indonesian side. Amphibious ships and 120 French troops will conduct joint exercise with the Indonesian personnel for three days,” he said. (bp)