Navies Join Forces for La Perouse Drills

Nine Indo-Pacific nations, including India, are participating in France-led La Perouse naval exercises in strategic maritime straits from 16-24 January, focusing on maritime security and interoperability.

The Indian Navy is deploying its guided-missile destroyer INS Mumbai, participating alongside France’s Carrier Strike Group led by the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
The exercise is conducted in the Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok Straits, key chokepoints linking the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.
With increasing Chinese naval activity, the exercise highlights the need for enhanced maritime safety and operational readiness in critical trade routes.
The exercise incorporates advanced drills such as surface warfare, air defence, cross-deck landings, and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations.
Participating nations, including Australia, Canada, the U.K., the U.S., and regional nations, aim to strengthen coordination through IORIS, a maritime communication system.
The focus includes countering illicit maritime activities like drug trafficking and improving readiness for natural hazards and maritime crises.