"Naval leaders from the United Kingdom, France and the United States signed an agreement, June 1, designed to increase coordination for anti-submarine warfare activities of the three countries as they operate in the 5th Fleet area of operations," the statement said.
The US Fifth Fleet operates in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse includes vital waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point through which over 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes.
"This agreement expands upon the 2017 trilateral maritime talks between the leaders of our respective navies and codifies a practical framework on how we will operate in the 5th Fleet area of operations when it comes to coordinating anti-submarine warfare operations," US Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan said in the statement. "This agreement lays the groundwork for executing more operations together and enhancing cooperation in the undersea domain."
The three navies regularly coordinate and take part in joint operations in the 5th Fleet area of operations. France has twice deployed its nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led campaign against the Islamic State terror group (banned in Russia) in Iraq and Syria.
