– USNI Proceedings – The French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle returns to service this spring after a major midlife refit that has upgraded its capabilities and interoperability.
Category Archives: FrenchNavy
Why France’s Own ‘Tomahawk’ Missile Is In Serious Trouble
– National Interest – A bad performance in Syria was just the start.
After 1.3 billion euro makeover, French aircraft carrier returns to sea
– Reuters – Europe’s only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the 260-metre-long (850-ft) vessel, which carries 1,700 personnel and whose tonnage is equal to four Eiffel Towers, is due to be deployed in early February in the Indian Ocean
What will launch from France’s future aircraft carrier? The government and Navy are teaming up to find out
– Defense News – The French procurement office and the Navy will submit proposals to the Armed Forces Ministry based on definition studies for a future aircraft carrier.
France takes delivery of its 5th FREMM
– Defense News – The Directon Générale de l’Armement took delivery July 18 the fifth multi-mission frigate, marking a step toward an eight-strong fleet which will be the “backbone” of the French Navy.
France makes progress on refitting submarine for M51 missiles
– Defense News – The ballistic missile submarine Téméraire has been taken to Ile Longue, the French naval base for nuclear boats, marking a key step in a major refit of the sub.
On the water and in the air, French military pushes back against Beijing’s South China Sea claims
– South China Morning Post – France has sent warships through contested waters and will hold air exercises in the area later this year.
France, Britain to sail warships in contested South China Sea to challenge Beijing
– South China Morning Post – Defence ministers tell security forum they are contributing to rule-based order.
U.S./French Integrated Air Wing Helping Develop ‘One Larger Team’ to Tackle Maritime Operations
– USNI News – When Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Chief of Staff of the French Navy Adm. Christophe Prazuck stood together on the flight deck of carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) on Monday, pairs of fighters flew overhead – one American F/A-18E-F Super Hornet, one French Rafale at its side.
U.S./French Integrated Air Wing Exercise Accelerates French Pilots’ Return to Sea
– USNI News – Performing touch-and-go’s, catapult launches and arrested landings, French naval aviators are now qualifying aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and speeding up the timeline for their carrier to be combat ready.
French, U.S. Naval Aviators Learn to Work Together Ahead of Middle East Deployment
– USNI News – Since carrier flight skills atrophy over time, French naval aviators are spending two months training with US Navy air wings so they’ll be ready for missions this summer when their carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) finishes repairs after almost two years in the yard.
Japan eyes Franco-German maritime patrol aircraft requirement despite export setbacks
– Defense News – Japan is offering its Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft for a Franco-German requirement for a new aircraft. The move is part of the island nation’s efforts to secure its first major arms sale since a self-imposed ban on arms exports following World War II was lifted four years ago.
France turns to plan B when missile launch fails during Syria airstrikes
– Defense News – When a French multimission frigate failed to fire its salvo of three naval cruise missiles during last weekend’s joint airstrike on Syria, the military drew on a backup plan. The frigate’s sister ship, the Languedoc, instead launched its naval cruise missiles at the three Syrian targets.
Thirty Days At Sea
– USNI Proceedings – From counterdrug and minesweeping operations to launching Rafale fighters from the carrier Charles de Gaulle in support of the fight against ISIL, the French Navy responds to the defense needs of the French people.
French Rafale Fighters to Deploy on Carrier USS George H.W. Bush This Spring
– USNI News – France is sending 350 sailors and naval aviators to deploy with a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier this spring as their nuclear-powered carrier finishes scheduled maintenance
French amphibious carrier visits Japan ahead of Pacific show of power
– Reuters – As tension spikes on the Korean peninsula, a French amphibious assault carrier sailed into Japan’s naval base of Sasebo on Saturday ahead of drills that risk upsetting China.
French Maritime Strategic Thought On the Indo-Pacific
– CIMSEC – In Europe, France is distinctive in claiming that its boundaries actually extend outside Europe into the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, i.e. the ‘Indo-Pacific,’ through its overseas departments (département d’outre-mer), and overseas territories (territoire d’outre-mer), which are considered integral parts of France, and indeed thereby of the European Union. These Indo-Pacific possessions also have large Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). These give France important maritime interests to be maintained, and if need be defended, by the French Navy.
U.K., France and U.S. Agree to Increase Submarine Warfare, Aircraft Carrier Cooperation
– USNI News – Naval leaders from the U.K., France and the U.S. have signed a trilateral cooperation agreement that will allow the three navies to work more closely together – especially in the realms of submarine warfare and carrier operations.
French carrier to lead joint amphibious Pacific drill in show of force aimed at China
– Reuters – In a display of military power aimed at China, France will dispatch one of its powerful Mistral amphibious carriers to lead drills on and around Tinian island in the western Pacific, with Japanese and U.S. personnel and two troop-carrying helicopters sent by Britain.
Carrier Charles de Gaulle undergoing refit and upgrade
– UPI – The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is in drydock in the port of Toulon for an 18-month refit and upgrade. The carrier has been in service for 15 years and the French Navy said the midlife work will extend her operational life for at least 20 more years.
French Navy’s new frigate design unveiled
– Janes – The concept design for the new Frégate de Taille Intermédiaire (FTI) for the French Navy was unveiled by the French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on 18 October.
It’s in the mail: how submarine secrets surfaced in Australia
– The Australian – It seems that the story behind this leak may be more incompetence than espionage. The data was removed from DCNS in Paris in 2011 by a former French Navy officer who quit the service in the early 1970s and worked for French defence companies for more than 30 years before becoming a subcontractor to DCNS.
Our French submarine builder in massive leak scandal
– The Australian – The French company that won the bid to design Australia’s new $50 billion submarine fleet has suffered a massive leak of secret documents, raising fears about the future security of top-secret data on the navy’s future fleet.
French Navy Might Begin South China Sea Patrols this Year
– China Topix – Warships of the French Navy (the “Marine nationale”) are expected to begin patrols of the disputed South China Sea, perhaps by as early as this year, as the government of President François Hollande seeks to enforce its defense of the rules based international order.
Aboard the Charles de Gaulle: Sea Power and la République
– USNI Blog – Those familiar with the Nimitz class might be surprised how at home they would feel aboard the French carrier. Although somewhat smaller than USS Harry S. Truman, also currently in route to the Mediterranean, the bones of the French carrier show a common pedigree: the way the flight deck control is arranged, the quality of the maintenance, the arresting gear and catapults which are fully compatible with US aircraft and even the jersey colors on the flight deck.
