Catherine Vautrin, the French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans, recently traveled to La Réunion as part of the PÉGASE 26 mission, a joint military operation involving several countries in the Indian Ocean region. Accompanying her were officials from Madagascar, as well as representatives from other members of the Indian Ocean Commission, including Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles. During her visit, Vautrin participated in a demonstration flight aboard an A330 MRTT, a military transport aircraft used for refueling and cargo transport. The flight was escorted by two Rafale fighter jets and included an in-flight refueling exercise, showcasing the capabilities of the French military in the region. The PÉGASE 26 mission made a stopover in La Réunion from October 2 to October 7, 2026. During this time, two Rafale jets, two A330 MRTT aircraft, and one A400M transport plane were stationed on the island. Vautrin visited the pilots involved in the mission and highlighted the strategic significance of La Réunion as a key support point for military operations. The island is capable of hosting large-scale aerial operations and plays an important role in the Southern Indian Ocean Forces (FAZSOI), which are responsible for security across a vast and challenging region. On October 6, Vautrin met with the highest-ranking officials in Madagascar, emphasizing the importance of military cooperation between the two countries. She also visited the AerialMetric industrial site in Madagascar, a joint Franco-Malagasy company that designs and produces drones. During her visit, she noted the support of the FAZSOI in training Malagasy personnel to operate these drones remotely. This collaboration reflects growing efforts to strengthen regional defense capabilities through technology and training. Vautrin concluded her trip with the formal transfer of a surveillance and reconnaissance drone to the Malagasy armed forces. The handover was signed by the Chief of Staff of the Malagasy military and the French defense attaché in Madagascar. This event marks an important step in the development of Madagascar’s military capabilities and underscores the ongoing partnership between France and its regional allies.