Bali Hosts French and Australian Battleships for Strengthened Ties

TheIndonesia.co - Officers at the Bali Naval Base recently welcomed three French battleships and one Australian vessel, which will be docked at Port of Benoa in Denpasar, Bali, for the week. The visit aims to enhance military relations between Indonesia, France, and Australia.

According to Antara News Agency, Commodore I Made Wira Hady Arsanta Wardhana, Head of the Indonesian Navy’s Information Office, explained that the Indonesian Navy organized ceremonies to greet the four ships, which include three French frigates and the Australian battleship HMAS Hobart. The French vessels, FNS Forbin (D620), FNS Provence (D652), and FNS Alsace (D656), arrived on January 28, 2025, for a routine visit that will last until February 3. The visit includes crew changes, tourism, and ship maintenance.

Following their stay in Bali, the French ships will proceed to different destinations: FNS Forbin and FNS Provence are heading to Manila, The Philippines while FNS Alsace will sail to the Okinawa Islands, Japan. HMAS Hobart, which arrived on January 26, will also be part of the week-long visit, enhancing military cooperation.

Commodore Wardhana emphasized that the visit strengthens the ties between the three nations, and discussions have been held regarding future joint military drills, educational exchanges, and defense technology transfers.

Additionally, the nuclear-powered French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has been docked at Gili Mas Port in West Lombok, further highlighting the close military relations between Indonesia and France.