The FS Jacques Chevalier will call Australia home

The second-largest ship in the French navy has docked in Australia’s Darwin, signifying a turning of the page between the two countries and an increased mutual focus on the Indo-Pacific region.

After a three-month voyage around the world, the FS Jacques Chevalier will call Australia home, for now. The French supply ship docked at HMAS Coonawarra, hosting a number of distinguished local guests.

The vessel is one of the newest additions to the French navy, commissioned in 2023. It brings a crew of sailors, medics, and mechanics and enough food for a six-month voyage. The French and Australian navies say the recent military exercises with the US, Australia, and other allies such as India and Indonesia are the key to a secure maritime region.