On March 2, Malaysian defense officials, led by Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled, visited the French carrier Charles de Gaulle during a joint air combat exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The delegation observed aircraft operations and received a briefing on the carrier’s capabilities as part of enhancing defense cooperation between France and Malaysia.
A delegation of Malaysian defense officials, led by Defence Minister Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, visited the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on March 2. The visit aligned with a joint air combat exercise involving the carrier’s air wing and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Officials were welcomed aboard the carrier by French representatives, including Axel Cruau, the Ambassador to Malaysia, and Rear Admiral Jacques Mallard, commander of the French Carrier Strike Group.
Accompanied by high-ranking military officials including the Chief of Defence Forces, General Datuk Hj Mohd Nizam bin Hj Jaafar, and other senior leaders from the Malaysian Armed Forces, Dato’ Seri Mohamed received a briefing on the carrier’s capabilities from Rear Admiral Mallard. He noted that the visit was integral to enhancing defense cooperation between France and Malaysia.
The visit coincided with a joint air combat exercise conducted off the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, where four Rafale jets from the French Navy engaged in maneuvers with Malaysian military aircraft including Su-30MKMs and F/A-18Ds. The opportunity also allowed the Malaysian delegation to observe operations such as aircraft launching and recovery aboard the Charles de Gaulle.
According to a statement from the French Embassy in Malaysia, such exercises foster interoperability and reinforce military collaboration. This training exemplifies France’s commitment to deploying military assets in the Indo-Pacific region to uphold international law and protect free access to shared waters.
The visit of Malaysian defense officials to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle highlights the ongoing commitment to strengthening defense ties between France and Malaysia. It allowed for collaboration through joint exercises, further enhancing military interoperability. This engagement illustrates the strategic importance of military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Original Source: www.navalnews.com
