Key Points and Summary – France’s nuclear-powered carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) just underscored Paris’s blue-water credibility with a long Indo-Pacific deployment, exercising alongside U.S., Japanese and Indian forces during Mission Clemenceau 25.
-The CATOBAR carrier fielded 22 Rafale-M, E-2C Hawkeye AEW, and NH90/Dauphin helicopters, and is protected by Aster missiles.
The French Marine Nationale aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91), and the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) are underway in formation in the Red Sea, April 15, 2019. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joshua L. Leonard)
-After early teething issues, upgrades in 2007 and 2017 boosted reliability and speed to 27 knots.
-With Rafale F3 able to carry SCALP-EG and ASMP-A, the strike group sends a clear signal on freedom of navigation and allied interoperability. Expect future Mediterranean tasking—proof France can project power far beyond home waters.
France’s Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier Is World-Class
You would assume that the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) would be a NATO stalwart, serving only in the Atlantic Ocean theater of operations.
That is certainly true. The Charles de Gaulle can bring ample firepower and combat strength to deter the Russians if needed.
However, earlier this year, the Charles de Gaulle deployed all the way to the Indo-Pacific, showing the Chinese that US allies can also be there to carry the NATO flag.
This appearance surely surprised the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which did not realize the De Gaulle had such impressive range and stamina for a worldwide mission.
Working Well With Allies
The strike group demonstrated its effectiveness in working with ships from the United States and Japan. This fleet interoperability among allies is a huge strength for the Charles de Gaulle. Its strike group can compete with the best.
The De Gaulle’s air group was busy during the deployment and showed just how far French naval aviation capabilities have grown since the Cold War.
That’s not all. After the Pacific mission, the Charles de Gaulle sailed to the waters off India to rehearse military exercises with the navy from that country.
“All the exercises and interactions carried out on this new area for the French Carrier Strike Group have not only strengthened our interoperability but also demonstrated our commitment to promote a free, open, safe, and peaceful Indo-Pacific region,” according to the ship’s commander, Rear Admiral Jacques Mallard.
Deploying a Full Complement of Aircraft
The carrier has 22 Rafale-M fighters, two E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft, two AS365 Dauphins helicopters, and an NH90 helicopter. The carrier armed with the Aster missile – itself a quality system.
De Gaulle conducted the entire mission with high levels of combat readiness in an operation called Mission Clemenceau 25. This entailed two naval exercises with allies and ports of call to Vietnam and the Philippines.
“The deployment of this mission is a clear signal of France and Europe’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and to work for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said French Ambassador to Singapore Stephen Marchisio.
“Mission Clemenceau 25 symbolizes France’s expertise in the military and maritime security field, its ability to project its power and its role as a European leader. It is also a way to showcase the freedom of navigation that is at the core of the multilateralism that we all promote as European countries.”
Let’s Unpack That Quote
Try to examine that comment closely, as it reveals French, American, and Japanese strategies in the Indo-Pacific.
France held a news conference to send the message that it would not be intimidated by China.
This is a momentous development for the French Navy, which is not typically known for having a global presence comparable to that of the United States.
More About the Charles de Gaulle
The Charles de Gaulle is the flagship of the French Navy. It was first commissioned in 2001 and is the tenth aircraft carrier built by France.
The Charles de Gaulle is nuclear-powered and is the first surface ship in the French Navy to hold this distinction, being the only nuclear-powered carrier outside of the U.S. Navy.
Imitating U.S. Navy Carriers
The Charles de Gaulle can send its aircraft into the air quickly, as the Americans train some of its flight deck personnel.
Like US Navy carriers, the Charles de Gaulle uses carrier-assisted takeoff and barrier-arrested recovery (CATOBAR). It’s an electro-magnetic system with two steam-powered catapults.
The De Gaulle was not easy to build. The French endured several delays and was finally commissioned in 2001, five years behind schedule.
The total cost was $2.5 billion, which is a bargain compared to the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class flat-tops.
It Overcame Some Obstacles
Sea trials were difficult. A propeller broke during a mission to Norfolk, Virginia, and the aircraft had to return to port. The De Gaulle had to use a propeller from an older Clemenceau-class carrier, and this kept its top speed at 25 knots.
The De Gaulle underwent significant repairs and refit procedures in 2007.
The nuclear reactors had to be refueled. The French installed new, modernized propellers that enable an improved top speed of 27 knots.
The De Gaulle displaces 42,500 tons. It had another upgrade in 2017. Engineers and technicians installed new nuclear reactors, and the carrier was cleared for full-time duty, which enabled worldwide deployments.
The carrier’s new Dassault Rafale F3 fighters are armed with ASMP-A nuclear and SCALP EG cruise missiles.
The French Navy is rightfully pleased with the Charles de Gaulle. Completing the deployment to the Indo-Pacific is a way to demonstrate France’s strategic importance with its maritime force. Nuclear-powered vessels like the De Gaulle are not easy for any navy to operate.
Most navies, if they have the capability, confine their nuclear-powered reactors to submarines. The French have demonstrated that they have a true Blue Water navy that can sail anytime, anywhere, as long as the ships are in good repair.
The French Navy has also learned a great deal from the Americans about refueling and maintenance. They are well-trained in flight deck operations, and the De Gaulle operates like a civilian airport sailing on the high seas.
France is likely to aim for another deployment with the Charles de Gaulle strike group—this time perhaps in the Mediterranean Sea.
France has national interests in North Africa and a willingness to demonstrate to its allies there that it can come to their aid if needed, particularly for its former colonies.
The Charles de Gaulle is one of the best aircraft carriers in the world.
It could use some more fighter jets onboard, and it doesn’t have the capacity like a U.S. Navy flat-top, but it leads a formidable strike force that can react well with the needs of allied navies.
This is precisely what the designers had in mind with the nuclear-powered flat-top—a strategic option that expands the French military’s ability to strike on continents far away from its home port.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for US Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former US Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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Joseph K
September 25, 2025 at 12:04 pm
China has missiles with the Chinese flag that can reach anywhere in the world. They’re also increasingly deploying drone stealth fighters, ships, and submarines. So their enemies would disappear long before they even came across a human operated vessel if forced to.
Another dumb article.
Kris M
September 25, 2025 at 8:17 pm
I hope it’s fast, the Frensh seem to only know how to give up or retreat from battle.
Stuart
September 26, 2025 at 7:22 am
If it is so great, why is France rushing to replace it? It’s slow, under powered, and their jets lack stealth. It would make an easy target for hypersonic missiles from any major power.