Defense minister visits La Réunion

Catherine Vautrin, France’s Minister of Defense and Veterans, traveled to La Réunion as part of the PÉGASE 26 mission, a multinational military operation in the Indian Ocean. During her visit, she met with General Ely Razafitombo, Madagascar’s defense chief, and other military officials from the Indian Ocean Commission.

Emphasis on strategic base

Vautrin met with pilots of the PÉGASE 26 mission, continuing her tour that had included a stop in Indonesia. She highlighted La Réunion’s importance as a strategic base for large-scale air operations and reaffirmed the French military’s commitment to protecting French citizens globally.

Investments in military capabilities

Alongside the Forces Armées in the South of the Indian Ocean (FAZSOI), Vautrin emphasized their role in securing a vast and complex region. A new light surveillance aircraft had recently arrived to boost their capabilities, and she noted the 4.3 billion euro investment under the 2024-2030 military programming law to expand and modernize land, sea, and air forces.

Joint demonstration flight

Accompanied by Madagascar’s defense minister and representatives from other Indian Ocean Commission countries, Vautrin participated in a demonstration flight of the PÉGASE 26 mission aboard an A330 MRTT. The flight was escorted by Rafale fighter jets and included in-flight refueling.

Reaffirming regional security goals

On October 6, Vautrin met with high-ranking Malagasy officials, including Colonel Michaël Randrianirina. She reiterated France’s commitment to regional security goals set by the French and Malagasy presidents in 2026, particularly focusing on the Mozambique Channel, which sees increasing maritime traffic amid global tensions.

Strengthening military cooperation

In discussions with General Ely Razafitombo, Vautrin highlighted plans to boost military cooperation. This includes supporting Madagascar’s development of its own military capabilities, such as drones, to enhance maritime surveillance, and providing aid to local populations through engineering, medical supplies, and disaster relief.

Visit to drone manufacturing site

Vautrin visited the AerialMetric industrial site in Madagascar, a Franco-Malagasy company producing drones. She noted the FAZSOI’s role in training Malagasy remote pilots and expressed satisfaction with the first transfer of a surveillance and reconnaissance drone to the Malagasy armed forces.