Building naval alliances: French frigate makes historic port call in Bangladesh
French Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars visits Bangladesh, signaling strengthened maritime cooperation and a commitment to bolster defense relations.
ISPR
Nurul Islam Hasib from Chittagong
Published: July 2, 2023 10:45 PM | Last updated: July 3, 2023 10:12 AM
The arrival of a French naval ship in Bangladesh after seven years heralds the beginning of a new relationship between the two forces.
“This (port) call shows our dedication to work with Bangladesh armed forces, especially with the Navy. We are both active members of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and we wish to build on it,” visiting Joint Commander of the French Force, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars, told Dhaka Tribune in an interview.
Surcouf, the La Fayette type frigate, arrived in Chittagong port on Sunday on a five-day port-call.
Upon its arrival at the jetty, Commander Chittagong Naval Zone Chief Staff Officer Captain Foyes welcomed the officials and sailors of the ship.
Admiral Slaars also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhban on Sunday evening.
A range of issues, including defense cooperation, drydock cooperation and seaway movement came up for discussion in the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said.
La Fayette type frigates are multi-purpose combat vessels, designed primarily to preserve and enforce national interests in overseas maritime areas and to participate in the settlement of crises outside Europe, according to the French navy.
In this context, they may be required to provide support for an intervention force, the protection of commercial traffic, special operations or humanitarian missions. These ships are designed to carry on board a Panther anti-ship helicopter and its detachment.
The visiting ship is named after Robert Surcouf, a French privateer and businessman who operated in the Indian Ocean from 1795 to 1808 during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It is 125m in length and 15.4m in width.
The French navy is regarded as one of the largest and most powerful naval forces in the world. It operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, on all the seas of the world. From territorial waters to the high seas, the French navy conducts defense and security missions to, what it said, protect maritime approaches and national interests.
The Indian Ocean is known as the “great middle bay” due to its location. Over 80 percent of maritime oil trade passes through the Indian Ocean. It goes to East Asia, Europe and North America. The Indian Ocean is also a valuable source of fisheries and mineral resources. Bangladesh is a Bay of Bengal outward-facing country. It is the largest bay in the world, lying at the centre of the Indian Ocean.
France extended support to the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 and accorded recognition to Bangladesh as a sovereign country as early on February 14, 1972.
Here is the full version of the interview:
Dhaka Tribune: What is the purpose of the ship's visit this time?
Admiral Slaars: The visit aims to improve our bilateral cooperation.
DT: When did it arrive in Chittagong, and how long will it stay?
Admiral Slaars: She arrived on Sunday 2nd July and will leave on Thursday 6th July
DT: Why is this visit special?
Admiral Slaars: It is very important for us to maintain tight relations with our partners. As we had the opportunity to come, I decided to send this frigate to the Bay of Bengal in order to enhance cooperation with neighbouring countries. Our last port call in Chittagong dates back to 2016, too long ago! This call shows our dedication to work with Bangladesh armed forces, especially with the Navy. We are both active members of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and we wish to build on it.
DT: What's the French interest in the Indo-Pacific?
Admiral Slaars: We are part of the Indo-Pacific nations, with La Réunion and the overseas territories in the Western part of the Indian Ocean, as well as New Caledonia and Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. In 2018, we published our Indo-Pacific strategy that inspired the EU one. We are fully dedicated to having our share in the protection of this strategic region, in accordance with our values: rules-based order, freedom of navigation, etc.
DT: What is the defence relationship between Bangladesh and France?
Admiral Slaars: The relationship is very good, and can still improve. We shall benefit from this post Covid period to identify new domains in which we could cooperate to our mutual benefit