De Gaulle Strike Group Trains With Indian Navy, Singapore Air Force

France and India are conducting joint naval exercises off the western seaboard of India, while aircraft from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle are training with Singapore, reports USNI News.

The Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group, which includes the frigates Forbin and Provence and the replenishment ship Marne, and an Atlantique maritime patrol aircraft have joined the Indian navy destroyer Chennai and frigate Teg as well as MiG-29K fighters and P-8I and Do 228 maritime patrol aircraft, according to the Indian Defense Ministry.

The drills cover air defense, tactical maneuvers, surface firing, underway replenishment and other maritime operations, the ministry said.

Separately, on Tuesday, three Rafale fighters from Charles de Gaulle linked up with a French air force A330 multirole tanker transport to deploy to the Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore. The jets were slated to return to the Charles de Gaulle on Friday following exercises with the Singapore air force.