From 24^th April to 6^th May 2023, the French forces in New Caledonia (FANC) have organised major exercise Croix du Sud. The goal: training the French armed forces to lead a joint and allied Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) operation in the field of post-natural disaster relief. Participation in Croix du Sud 2023 was unprecedented on several accounts. Not least than 10 ships, 15 aircraft and 3,000 military and civilian personnel representing 19 Nations were present. France provided the best part of the strength, especially through the Navy reinforcement coming from the Jeanne d’Arc amphibious group.

Among the international participants, units coming from the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand but also the neighbouring Fiji. Stationed in Nouméa, the combined joint headquarters conducted and co-ordinate the entire set up under the aegis of the French armed forces.

Simulating a disaster

The exercise, which took place in New Caledonia, simulated a natural disaster caused by a tsunami in an area already unsettled by security troubles. This crisis required the deployment of a multinational force to take the population to secure locations before the arrival of humanitarian organisations.

The manoeuvre took place in two parts. The first one consisted in integration and training. The forces present have highlighted their expertise and common know-how to enhance their capabilities in the HADR domain. The second phase enabled to strengthen the interoperability of the combined forces in crisis situation and to consolidate operational co-operation.

Working on interoperability

The exercise gave the deployed personnel the opportunity to reinforce regional stability to face the challenges encountered by the Indopacific countries, often struck by natural disasters because of climate change.

Along that line, the French armed forces fully contribute to the security of this vast area by maintaining excellent co-ordination with their regional partners.