MANILA — French flagship FNS Var, headed by Commander Paul Massart is paying a goodwill visit to the Philippines from June 11th to 15th, 2007. The ship carries the commander of the French forces in Indian Ocean Maritime Zone Rear Admiral Jacques Launay. Rear Admiral Launay is set to pay courtesy calls on the Philippine authorities such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of National Defense, the Philippine Navy, the City of Manila and Manila Police Superintendent.
Providing logistic support for French or allied carrier and battle groups on every sea, Var is outfitted with 17,900 tons displacement and carries a crew of 157 personnel including 14 officers. It can embark a command staff of up to 70 members. A replenishment tanker, the flagship can supply three other ships simultaneously of heavy loads of food, equipment and ammunition. With its 158m length and 22m breadth, Var can also carry light helicopters.
Joint training exercises between French and Philippine navies will open next week. On June 15, FNS Var will then sail for Hong Kong with two Philippine Navy officers, namely LCDR Kervin Jarangue and Lt. Lyndon Joseph Barce, on board.
This goodwill visits objective is to promote friendship and cooperation between the Philippine and French navies. French warships are visiting the Philippine archipelago once or twice a year.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: INBOX is an archive of press releases, statements, announcements, letters to the editors, and manifestos sent to Davao Today for publication. Please email your materials to davaotoday @ gmail.com. Davao Today is not responsible for the content of these materials. The opinion expessed in these items does not reflect those of Davao Today and its staff. Please refer to our terms of use/disclaimer.
