French nuclear carrier docks in Subic Bay for military cooperation

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, the only nuclear-powered carrier outside of the US Navy, docked in Subic Bay, Zambales as part of its CLEMENCEAU 25 mission.

Aboard the carrier, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel expressed confidence that the visit will pave the way for broader military cooperation between France and the Philippines.

This deployment shows Paris's commitment to building trust with Manila and promoting regional order, aligning with a letter of intent signed in December 2023.

The French Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which includes the Charles de Gaulle, an air defense destroyer, and the auxiliary oil replenishment ship Jacques Chevallier, arrived in Subic Bay on Friday.

Its two multi-mission destroyer escorts docked in Manila on Saturday.

The CSG held a bilateral maritime cooperative activity with Filipino forces in the West Philippine Sea prior to their port calls.

This operational deployment is a testament to France's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.