French navy vessel Jacques Chevallier sets course for Darwin

Territorians will get the chance to check out France’s second-largest warship this month when senior officials from Canberra and Paris arrive to discuss Indo-Pacific strategy.

Jacques Chevallier (background) after resupplying guided-missile destroyer USS Stout in December, 2024. Picture: U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet.

Territorians will get the chance to check out the French Navy’s second-largest vessel this month when senior political and military officials from Canberra and Paris arrive to discuss Indo-Pacific strategy.

With a displacement of 30,000 tonnes, French supply ship Jacques Chevallier departed the Mediterranean Sea in December alongside aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, as part of ‘Mission Clemenceau’.

For the sole purpose of headlining the high level military engagement, Jacques Chevallier will break away from the carrier group in the coming weeks and set course for Darwin, providing locals the chance to get a glimpse of the 198 metre-long vessel.

Three Rafale Marine jets from French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will join RAAF Base Darwin ahead of the event. / AFP PHOTO / Eric FEFERBERG

Additionally, Top End skies will also host French visitors, with a trio of Rafale Marine jets deploying to Darwin a week before the Jacques Chevallier to train alongside local Royal Australian Air Force pilots.

France join several European nations in ramping up their presence in the near region, with Italy having deployed aircraft carrier ITS Cavour to the Timor Sea in July, 2024.

In August, 2024, Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed he was in talks with his British counterpart to bring HMS Prince of Wales to Darwin in 2025.

While it is yet to be announced as to which Australian VIPs will attend the meeting, the French embassy has confirmed their ambassador will attend the event.

FNS Auguste Benebig was the last French vessel to grace the waters of Darwin Harbour. Picture: Harry Brill.

France’s naval presence in the Indo-Pacific has picked up significantly in recent years, with India alone having hosted 16 port calls of French vessels since 2022.

Darwin Harbour has also been graced by French presence in recent months, with French patrol vessel Auguste Benebig having played a key role in Exercise Kakadu in September.

Jacques Chevallier is scheduled to arrive in Darwin on January 29, 2024.

Originally published as French navy vessel Jacques Chevallier sets course for Darwin