Japan, France, Australia and the United States took part in their first joint drill in the Indian Ocean on Sunday, the Maritime Self-Defense Force said.
The drill encompassed 10 vessels, including the Izumo, the MSDF destroyer that is set to be revamped into a de facto aircraft carrier, and the Charles de Gaulle, France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Apparently, this is the first time for the MSDF to drill with the Charles de Gaulle.
According to the MSDF, the participating vessels also include a Royal Australian Navy submarine and a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer.
One aim of the drill is to keep China in check as Beijing has been strengthening its marine advancement.
Held through Wednesday in waters west of Indonesia's island of Sumatra, the drill includes antisubmarine operations as well as carrier-based helicopter takeoffs and landings.
The Izumo departed Japan at the end of April and joined another drill with six vessels from the navies of the United States, India and the Philippines in waters including the South China Sea, which China is trying to use for military bases.
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