On September 23, 2025, a surveillance frigate (FS) set sail from its home port in Papeete to begin the HIMANTURA mission, which will continue until December. This mission is fully in line with France’s strategy, promoting respect for international law and freedom of movement, for the benefit of a stable, free, and open Indo-Pacific.
In mid-October, the surveillance frigate (FS) will participate in the ANNUALEX exercise co-organized by Japan and the United States . This is the first French participation in this exercise, which brings together six nations (United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France) and thirteen units for high-end multi-warfare training. This exercise will strengthen the ties between France, Japan and the United States, following on from the PACIFIC STELLER exercise that took place in February of this year, bringing together fifteen units around the French, American and Japanese carrier battle groups (GAN).
The FS will contribute to the monitoring of sanctions against North Korea in support of the Enforcement Coordination Cell (ECC). The ECC aims to combat circumvention of sanctions established by the United Nations (UN) Security Council against North Korea in the context of illicit oil transshipments to Pyongyang.
The FS mission adds to the numerous deployments and exercises that France regularly carries out in the region, thus demonstrating its continued commitment to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.