French Armed Forces Commander in New Caledonia (FANC) General Yann Latil visits Vanuatu Mobile Forces (VMF) Commander Colonel Ben Nicholson to discuss cooperation – 7 March 2025 Photo: FANC Forces Armées en Nouvelle-Calédonie
French Armed Forces Commander in New Caledonia (FANC) General Yann Latil was in Vanuatu on Friday, where he held meetings with Vanuatu Mobile Forces (VMF) Commander Colonel Ben Nicholson.
The pair were to discuss cooperation, training, and maintenance of the VMF's French-supplied FAMAS rifles.
Two FANC instructors have been in Port Vila to train a group of about 15 VMF members on handling and maintenance of the FAMAS used by the Vanuatu paramilitary force.
During his visit, General Latil is to meet Vanuatu Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Napuat.
Meanwhile, still in Vanuatu, Nouméa-based overseas support and assistance vessel (BSAOM) the D'Entrecasteaux was on a courtesy call in Luganville (Espiritu Santo island, North Vanuatu) for three days.
French Armed Forces Commander in New Caledonia (FANC) General Yann Latil visits Vanuatu Mobile Forces (VMF) training in French FAMAS rifles maintenance – 7 March 2025 Photo: FANC Forces Armées en Nouvelle-Calédonie
It left on Friday for a surveillance policing mission in high seas off the Y-shaped archipelago.
One ni-Vanuatu officer onboard is also embarked as part of the crew inspecting fishing vessels.
Last month, the D'Entrecasteaux was engaged in a series of exercises off Papua New Guinea.
