Indo-Pacific Dynamics Change the French Navy’s Way of Thinking
The dynamics in the Indo-Pacific have made the French navy change its weapons planning. They can no longer wait for the development of new technology.
By
EDNA CAROLINE PATTISINA
·3 minutes read
EDNA CAROLINE PATTISINA
Chief Armament Engineer Julie who is the director of the French Fregate ship development explained various innovations from the ship which will be operational in 2030, in Paris, Monday (12/92022).
PARIS, KOMPAS —The situation in Indo-Pacific is affecting the planned development of the French navy. They now have also expressed their desire to carry out military diplomacy with Indonesia.
"We have chosen to develop existing technology rather than waiting for new technology, which [would] certainly [take] longer [to produce]," said first admiral Eric Mabrunot, deputy assistant for operations of the French navy chief of staff for planning and program on Monday (12/9/2022), in a press conference as part of the Euronaval Press Tour, in Paris.
Eric gave the example of technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are currently being developed by France. UAVs are a useful tool to prevent sudden attacks at sea because they can fly day and night compared with manned helicopters. A manned helicopter is used when the problem is known.
"There is indeed a risk [in focusing on developing existing technology]. However, we choose to receive reduced performance risks rather than waiting for the development of qualified technology, but [it coming too] late," said Eric.
He said, the French navy had switched its approach to technology that could be immediately used and cheaper. This is a change in mindset in the French navy as it faces the dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. The tools resulting from this change in strategy were immediately installed on the ships to be tested for their performance. Only after this will the next stage of development be carried out.
AFP/CHRISTOPHE SIMON
A picture shows the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on April 12, 2020, as it arrives in the southern French port of Toulon with sailors onboard infected with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). – Fifty sailors aboard the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, the flagship of the French navy, have contracted the novel coronavirus the armed forces ministry said on April 11. The nuclear-powered ship arrived in Toulon on April 12 so that those infected can begin a period of quarantine on dry land, according to the ministry.
The French navy also wants to establish a more familiar partnership with countries in the Indo-Pacific region. He said previously, there had been talks of French navy ships visiting Surabaya. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the plan was postponed. He hoped that the next French warship will be able to conduct a port visit to Indonesia.
"Hopefully it can be carried out in the first semester of 2023," he said.
Weaponry general engineer Emmanuelle Thivillier said there were some focuses of development planned by the French weaponry directorate general (DGA), which is the French Defense Industry Policy Committee.
Hopefully it can be carried out in the first semester of 2023.
Currently a nuclear-powered attack submarine named the Barracuda has begun operation. This followed the first submarine of this class operated by the French navy, the Suffren in November 2020. In 2030 it is planned that there will be five submarines in the same class.
Armament chief engineer Julie, director of the French Frigate Development Program, said that her team was trying to make this ship exportable. Under the export name Belhorra, this ship has antisubmarine, antisurface and anti-air attack capacities. This ship also has cyber capabilities, especially to deal with asymmetric warfare. According to the plan, these five ships will enter service with the French Navy in 2030.
