UK Ministry of Defence, On February 14 2005 at a ceremony onboard HMS VANGUARD in Faslane, The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West and the French Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Jean Louis Battet, co-signed a report to the Secretary of State (SofS) detailing the level of co-operation achieved between the two navies during the last year and key activities planned for the forthcoming year.
In the year of T200, the report detailed the strands of co-operation to be developed between the two Navies in aircraft carrier operation. Work is also in progress to scope the potential for co-operation in carrier procurement through joint industrial activity and sharing of information with the aim of maximising the benefits to both programmes.
Admiral West said:
“I am delighted to be able to co-sign this report with Admiral Battet. It demonstrates that our level of interaction and cooperation with the French Navy continues to build and highlights the high regard and friendship that exists between our navies.”
Prior to signing the report, the Admirals watched the inaugural RN/FN rugby match followed by the international at Twickenham.
FS GUEPRATTE is currently deployed with HMS INVINCIBLE as the escort to the carrier East of Suez and is due to return in April. HMS NOTTINGHAM is currently scheduled to deploy with CHARLES DE GAULLE (CDG) to the US in May before CDG participates in the International Fleet Review.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
1. A Letter of Intent (LOI) between the UK and France has been in existence for 8 years, last signed by respective SofS's onboard the FR aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle in Portsmouth, as part of the Entente Cordiale celebration, in Jun 04. Under the terms of FOI a copy of the LOI is available in the libraries of the House of Commons and Chambre des Deputes.
2. The LOI shapes the bilateral relationship between the 2 Navies to the satisfaction of both. 13 Working Groups, each chaired at Captain Level, coordinate activity and the level of cooperation between the Navies.
3. A 2-star LOI co-Chairmen from the respective Naval Staffs agree and issue an annual Directive to the Working Group Chairmen which provides guidance on the key subjects that each should focus on during the year. Subject areas for cooperation range from the new Carriers (CVF & PA2), through joint Task Group deployments (AGAPANTHE in 04 (HMS GLOUCESTER escort to CDG), and MARSTRIKE 05 (FS GUEPRATTE escort to HMS INVINCIBLE) to personnel exchanges and agreed doctrine.
4. 2-star LOI co-Chairmen biannually review progress being made against the Directive issued and at the end of each year a report is sent from the Chiefs of Naval Staffs to the SofS detailing the level of cooperation achieved and what key activities are planned for the forthcoming year.
5. Liaison activities. BRNC and the French Naval Academy have a good liaison; the French Naval Academy will be participating in BRNC's centenary regatta this summer. In addition, both countries have a long standing exchange programme between the two navies: the 9 exchange officers fill posts as helicopter aircrew, PWO, Naval staffs, Naval College staff, Submariner ashore, Divers, RM, Fighter controller on CDG and an engineer. Further options under consideration include loans for RN CVF training and FR liaison on UK Battle Staffs.
