TOULON, FRANCE — France is sending its Tonnerre amphibious assault helicopter carrier and the frigate Surcouf on a long-term deployment that will see them pass through the South China Sea twice. Mission Jean d'Arc 2021 left its home port of Toulon on Feb. 18, 2021. <br /><br />Captain Arnaud Tranchant, commanding officer of the Tonnerre, told Naval News the ships will "work to strengthen" France's partnership with the four Quad nations — the U.S., Japan, India and Australia.<br /><br />Nikkei Asia reports the amphibious ready group will hold France's first joint military drills with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Navy in May. The exercise will be focused on defending remote islands.
