French-Australian Military Cooperation: The Amiens Legacy

Since the First World War, Franco-Australian defence cooperation has been part of a long-term commitment between the two nations. Despite ups and downs, the two countries share a common defence interest in today’s Indo-Pacific region.
Behind the military cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux outside the French town of Amiens, the Australian National Memorial honours the Australian soldiers who fought and fell in France and Belgium. It stands as a powerful symbol of enduring Franco-Australian cooperation.
Between 1916 and 1918, some 295,000 Australians served on the Western Front. Over 46,000 died while 134,000 were wounded or captured. For its part, France lost 1.5 million men between 1914 and 1918. This baptism by fire marked the beginning of a lasting cooperation between France and Australia in the field of defence.
As Bastille Day has been celebrated this week, it’s important to remember this shared history and acknowledge the joint military history that continue to strengthen the ties between both nations.
The current geopolitical landscape is characterised by persistent risks and threats in both Europe and the South Pacific.
In Europe, the resurgence of geopolitical tensions in Ukraine shows the importance of Paris and Canberra working together to support an attacked country with the example of a joint ammunition partnership.
Since the election of Emmanuel Macron as president in 2017, one of France’s top priorities has been to establish the nation as a power in the Indo-Pacific. In the region, France and Australia have a common interest and responsibility to ensure peace and regional stability. This means both countries need to take a proactive and cooperative approach, including on climate change and regional stability.
Australia’s decision in September 2021 to end the future submarine program with France led to a reassessment of their strategic partnership (PDF). France now approaches cooperation with Australia based on mutual interests and regional considerations, moving forward independently. France wants to stay close to the US while working with Australia on Indo-Pacific matters and AUKUS-related issues.
The diplomatic reset in Australia-France relations followed 555 million euros of financial compensation granted to France’s Naval Group, the jilted party in Australia’s submarine saga.
The visit of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Paris after his election helped create positive momentum, followed by a visit from Defence Minister Richard Marles to the Brest naval base in September 2022. In December 2023, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna said Australia was France’s top Pacific partner, effectively ending past tensions.
While there will be challenges after AUKUS, the French-Australian defence relationship remains robust with both nations recognising the value of collaborative efforts. The partnership has demonstrated its resilience in the face of change.
France and Australia have agreed to strengthen ties after the AUKUS fallout with a new roadmap (PDF) for the relationship. Both countries will improve access to military facilities and work together on climate change.
Supported by officials from both countries, the ongoing commitment to military cooperation is exemplified by joint military exercises. Between 12 July and 2 August, French and Australian personnel will be working together on Pitch Black 2024, while Australia also participates in one of the biggest biannual French exercises for the region, “Croix du Sud” (Southern Cross exercise). With 240 personnel deployed in New Caledonia, Canberra is also the largest contributor after the French. Such exercises serve to enhance interoperability, readiness, and mutual understanding between the armed forces of both nations.
Australia plays a pivotal role in the strategic hosting of the Pitch Black exercise, which provides a valuable platform for multinational training and interoperability. The exercise provides an opportunity for intensive air combat training and joint operations involving various international partners, including France, with the objective of enhancing combat readiness and mutual understanding. The involvement of the Royal Australian Air Force serves to reinforce its status as a pivotal player in regional security initiatives.
The French Air Force also showed its commitment to the region’s stability as part of the Pégase 2024 mission. France brings its own fighters and tankers, which help it to fly long distances and refuel other planes. France has already done this before, during the Pégase 2022 and Heifara Wakea exercises in 2021.
Another example is their joint participation in Pacific Skies 2024. Such activities not only strengthen bilateral military ties but also fosters broader regional security partnerships, addressing common challenges, and ensuring readiness to respond effectively to evolving security threats in the region. Together, the French and Australian forces exemplify collaborative defence efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Just as Australian and French soldiers once fought side by side in Amiens during World War I, today they stand together to face modern threats. The shared history of sacrifice and cooperation at Amiens is mirrored in their contemporary efforts to maintain stability.
This historical connection strengthens their current resolve, providing a solid foundation for tackling today’s challenges. Both countries agree that working together is important to deal with common problems like territorial disputes, environmental issues, and aggression.
They can look forward from a legacy of shared history towards a future of continued collaboration.
Marvin Girelli is a researcher at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) and a PhD candidate at the University of French Polynesia. His research is funded by the University of French Polynesia. He can be reached via email at marvin.girelli@outlook.fr
This article is published under a Creative Commons License and may be republished with attribution.