France to deploy Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to support Middle East operations

[Vergennes]

PARIS (Reuters) - France will deploy the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and its battle group from January to April to support French military operations in Middle East, Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.

“The aircraft carrier will support Chammal operations (in the Middle East) from January to April 2020 before deploying to the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea”, Macron said at a New Year speech to the French military.

The deployment comes amid growing tensions between Iran and the United States and French concerns that the fight against Islamic State militants may be weakened within that context.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-support-middle-east-operations-idUSKBN1ZF2HS

 

[Vergennes]

Looks like a silent, massive build up.... with French troops in UAE already and now in KSA...

Whatz going on?

Actually more than 1000 soldiers are deployed as part of Operation Chammal,with the mission of training local Iraqi forces and supporting coalition forces against Daesh,conducting air support and reconnaissance missions. Are permanentely deployed 1000 soldiers + 11 Rafale. Non permanent means include a frigate,an air tanker,an AWACS and a maritime patrol aircraft.

The Rafales based at Prince Hassan air base in Jordan and Al Dhafra in the UAE have already seen their air sorties decrease sharply recently,so I am wondering if there's another reason to deploy the aircraft carrier,its escort and its air wing other than to support anti daesh operation.

 

[Vergennes]

The Charles de Gaulle has left yesterday its home port and will head to the middle east.

For this deployment,the carrier will cary 20 Rafale Marine,2 hawkeyes and 3 helicopters. (2 dauphin and 1 NH90)

Its escort is notably composed of a nuclear attack submarine. (the name of the ship is always confidential)
The air defence frigate Chevalier Paul.
The anti submarine frigates Auvergne and La Motte-Picquet.
The frigate Surcouf.
The command and tanker ship Var.
The Greek frigate Spetsai.

Other French and European ships will leave and join the carrier strike group through its deployment.

Leopold I (Belgium)
Lübeck (Germany)
Evertsen (Netherlands)
Corte Real (Portugal)

@Dante80

 

[UKBengali]

Looks pretty serious with 20 Rafales, SSN, 1 Horizon class and 1 Fremm-frigate in CBG.

 

[fitpOsitive]

PARIS (Reuters) - France will deploy the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and its battle group from January to April to support French military operations in Middle East, Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.

“The aircraft carrier will support Chammal operations (in the Middle East) from January to April 2020 before deploying to the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea”, Macron said at a New Year speech to the French military.

The deployment comes amid growing tensions between Iran and the United States and French concerns that the fight against Islamic State militants may be weakened within that context.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-support-middle-east-operations-idUSKBN1ZF2HS

And here comes cat out of the bag.

 

[Vortex]

And here comes cat out of the bag.

There is cat wherever there are mice. And there are mice wherever there is cheese. And you will find French wherever there is cheese .

Wherever your interests are, there you have to go.

 

[maximuswarrior]

I don't think anyone takes this seriously.

 

[Ich]

In mediteranian sea there is also Egypt and Libya. And a NoFlyZone over Tripoli. Maybe France wants to test egyptian air defence in Libya.

 

[Abu Shaleh Rumi]

The Charles de Gaulle has left yesterday its home port and will head to the middle east.

For this deployment,the carrier will cary 20 Rafale Marine,2 hawkeyes and 3 helicopters. (2 dauphin and 1 NH90)

Its escort is notably composed of a nuclear attack submarine. (the name of the ship is always confidential)
The air defence frigate Chevalier Paul.
The anti submarine frigates Auvergne and La Motte-Picquet.
The frigate Surcouf.
The command and tanker ship Var.
The Greek frigate Spetsai.

Other French and European ships will leave and join the carrier strike group through its deployment.

Leopold I (Belgium)
Lübeck (Germany)
Evertsen (Netherlands)
Corte Real (Portugal)


View attachment 601147
View attachment 601146
View attachment 601145
View attachment 601143
View attachment 601144

@Dante80

Horizon and Fremm ships are looking pretty slick sir.

Just curious, why horizon class chose 2 medium caliber naval guns over 1 big one like other similarly classed ships?