La Pérouse is an exercise during the annual French Navy midshipman deployment called Mission Jeanne d’Arc. The exercise is designed to conduct training, enhance cooperation in maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction operations, and air operations.
La Pérouse is led by the French Navy with participation of Mistral-class LHD Tonnerre and La Fayette-class frigate Surcouf. The US Navy is represented in the exercise by San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship Somerset. Her Majesty’s Australian Ships (HMAS) Anzac, a frigateandtanker Sirius have been deployed by the Royal Australian Navy for participation in the exercise while Japan Maritime Self Defence Ship (JMSDF) is represented by the destroyer Akebono. In addition to the ships, integral helicopters embarked onboard ships will also participate in the exercise. Indian Navy Ships INS Satpura (with an integral helicopter embarked) and INS Kiltanalong with P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating, for the first time
Exercise La Pérouse consists in complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare and air defence exercises, weapon firing exercises, cross deck flying operations, tactical manoeuvres and seamanship evolutions such as replenishment at sea.
The exercise showcases high levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the friendly navies.
