French Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), Tonnerre arrived this morning in Singapore and will be docking at the Changi Naval Base for two days. This is part of an annual deployment undertaken by The French Navy in the framework of Mission Jeanne D’Arc 2021. This 5-month deployment which started in February 2021 aims at training cadet officers from the French Navy and conducting operational large-scale exercises with the navies of the partner countries in the Indo-Pacific area including Singapore.
This year, the naval group was deployed to areas of strategic interest including the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian and Pacific Oceans via the South China Sea. In Asia-Pacific, the task group of Mission Jeanne d’Arc took part in joint exercises such as La Pérouse or ARC21, an important amphibious exercise held in Japan with the Japanese, Australian and American forces, coordinated patrols with Australia as well as replenishments at sea with the United States and Japan.
This year, the naval group was deployed to areas of strategic interest including the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian and Pacific Oceans via the South China Sea. In Asia-Pacific, the task group of Mission Jeanne d’Arc took part in joint exercises such as La Pérouse or ARC21. On 27 May, LHD Tonnerre conducted a passage exercise (PASSEX) with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Air Force (RSAF). This joint exercise showcased the interoperability of both countries’ armed forces.
Tonnerre is an amphibious assault helicopter carrier of the Marine Nationale. She is the eighth vessel to bear the name and the second ship in the Mistral-class amphibious assault ship series. Tonnerre was laid down in two parts. On 26 August 2003, the aft part was laid down by Arsenal de Brest at Brest and the bow part was laid down 5 May 2004 by Chantiers de Saint-Nazaire at Saint-Nazaire. The vessel was launched on 26 July 2005 and began active service in December 2006.
