By Tusi Tala, Staff Writer
The outgoing leader of the French Pacific fleet, Commodore Geoffroy d’Andigné, is raising concerns about growing tensions in the Pacific Ocean and the importance of being prepared.
Reflecting on his tenure as the head of the French Pacific fleet in Papeete over the past two years, Commodore d’Andigné mentioned that he has been focused on strengthening the defense of French Polynesia’s extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is as large as Europe.
He noted that this effort was necessary due to encounters with military ships that were previously unfamiliar to him.
“We have observed Iranian vessels entering our EEZ, and Chinese ships approaching the EEZ around Christmas 2022. This indicates a military presence that is increasingly impacting various regions of the world. It is a sign that we need to be prepared for…”
“In a world where tensions are escalating, we must be proactive in our readiness and in managing this space, as well as reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding Polynesia and its people.”
Commodore d’Andigné cautioned against developing a false sense of security within the Pacific Ocean, emphasizing that a conflict occurring on the other side of the world could have far-reaching implications for the region.
In an interview with local media Radio 1, he stated, “Should a conflict arise, it would not remain confined to a specific region but would have global implications, impacting everyone.”
Recently, d’Andigné passed on his leadership role to Commodore Guillaume Pinget, 51, a former commander of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
From the Papeete base, Commodore Guillaume oversees the French Naval forces across the entire Pacific Ocean, as well as all French Armed Forces in French Polynesia.
In October 2023, following a series of visits and exchanges, efforts were made to strengthen ties with the US 7th Pacific Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan. This was achieved by appointing a permanent French naval officer representative to enhance communication and coordination with US Naval forces in the Pacific region.
