On August 13, the United States Navy and the French Navy conducted bilateral exercises in the waters of the Philippine Sea, showcasing their commitment to strengthening interoperability and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region, according to Report, which cites TASS.
According to a statement published on the website of the US Navy's Seventh Fleet, the drills involved the USS Dewey (DDG 105), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and the FS Bretagne (D655), a French Aquitaine-class frigate. The two warships engaged in joint maneuvering, combined communications, and a simulated at-sea refueling during the exercises.
Commander Fred Kacher, the commanding officer of the US Seventh Fleet, emphasized the significance of these bilateral operations, stating that the seventh fleet regularly takes steps to strengthen functional compatibility with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region, which was done this week during a bilateral operation with their long-standing allies - the French Navy.
Kacher further highlighted that such collaborative efforts not only reinforce the capabilities of the navies involved but also enhance their ability to deter regional conflicts.