France’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its strike group will deploy under NATO command for the first time. The deployment in the Mediterranean begins on April 22 and includes vessels from the United States, Spain, Greece, Italy, and Portugal. The goal is to reinforce the defensive and deterrent posture of the alliance and support operations for regional stability.
The Charles de Gaulle will carry 18 Rafale jets, two E-2C Hawkeye airborne early-warning aircraft, and two Dauphin helicopters. The strike group may cooperate with the Standing NATO Maritime Group and participate in exercises such as the Mare Aperto in Italy.
The future of the carrier strike group includes options for deployment to the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific. The carrier has a crew of about 1,200 and is expected to be replaced by a future nuclear-powered carrier known as PANG by 2038.
France plans to begin work on the future carrier in late 2023 or early 2026, with an estimated cost of €10 billion. Sea trials are expected in 2036 or 2037, with an initial €5 billion allocated for construction in the 2024-2030 military budget.
