On 26th September 2023, His Majesty Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah received Rear Admiral Geoffroy d’Andigné, Commander of Armed Forces in French Polynesia, during an audience at Istana Nurul Iman. Also present were French Ambassador Bernard Régnauld-Fabre, Captain Riaz Akhoune (France’s Defence Attaché in Singapore), Ministrer Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan and Permanent Secretary at Minstry of Defence, Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Alirupendi Bin Haji Perudin.
The purpose of Rear Admiral Geoffroy d’Andigné’s five days visit is to strengthen the defence and military relations between Brunei and France. These relations have significantly evolved since the signing of the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on Defence Matters and Equipment Cooperation in 1999, fostering a robust bilateral partnership.