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.

French Navy – French Aircraft Carrier deploys to Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, will train with U.S. Navy

Navy Recognition – The French Navy announced its carrier battle group (CVBG) just deployed for Operation “Bois Belleau”. The group is centered on the French Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91). Its escort is consists in the Horizon class AAW Destroyer Forbin (D620), the Georges Leygues class anti-submarine Frigate Jean de Vienne (D643), the Durance class replenishment oiler Meuse (A607) and Rubis class SSN (nuclear-powered attack submarine)

French Navy – French Navy Dixmude LHD sails off with a full load of reinforcement for Serval operation in Mali

Navy Recognition – French Navy Dixumde LHD (Mistral class) sailed off on alert from Toulon naval base. With a record (for the class) load of French Army troops, vehicles and equipment belonging to a battalion task force (JTF-battle group) the amphibious vessel contributes to the strengthening of the French military deployed in Operation Serval.

French Navy – DCNS Lorient Shipyard Visit and FREMM Frigates Program Update

Navy Recognition – Navy Recognition was recently invited by DCNS to visit their Lorient (Brittany) based shipyard. The Lorient site specializes in surface vessel. It was the birthplace of many French Navy vessels such as Aviso type ships, the La Fayette class of frigates (and its export derivatives) and even several classes of cruisers before and after World War II. We also took this rare opportunity to sit down and ask a few questions to Vincent Martinot-Lagarde, FREMM Programs Manager.

French Navy – Ares boards the FREMM Aquitaine

Defense Technology International – The first of class of the French Navy’s FREMMs, the Aquitaine, is currently undergoing the third of its four sea-trial missions, this one to check the combat management system. Despite the large numbers of people aboard (DCNS engineers and the French naval personnel actually sailing the ship), a small handful of journalists was able to squeeze aboard earlier this week and photograph almost everything.