Top Naval Leaders Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Adm. Nicolas Vaujour Convene at Pentagon for Strategic Talks

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti hosted Chief of Staff of the French Navy Adm. Nicolas Vaujour at the Pentagon today. Their discussions centered around regional security, maritime stability, and bolstering interoperability between their naval forces.

Both leaders focused on the future maritime security environment. They emphasized a mutual understanding of the security landscape, discussing strike group integration and cooperative efforts in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions. The importance of sustainment for long-term operational readiness was also a key topic.

The conversation included the role of live, virtual, and constructive capabilities in enhancing operational effectiveness. Advancements in robotic and autonomous systems were highlighted as crucial for strengthening naval forces. Joint exercises such as Exercise Chesapeake 2024, NATO’s Exercise Neptune Strike 24-1, and Rim of the Pacific 2024 were noted for their role in improving the seamless integration of U.S. and French naval forces.

Vaujour also participated in the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Symposium at the Pentagon where he delivered the keynote address. He held office calls with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Lisa Sawyer, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Linda Fagan, and Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Kurt J. Rothenhaus, reinforcing bilateral and inter-service relationships.

Franchetti and Vaujour previously met in January 2024 at the Paris Naval Conference.