A crucial and complex mission for the Charles de Gaulle

It includes an embarked air group, a staff, 3 frigates, a replenishment vessel, and a nuclear attack submarine. Demonstrating its interoperability with allied navies, the carrier strike group will integrate several foreign vessels during its mission.

STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT

The GAN, centered around the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and composed of three French frigates, a tanker, a submarine, and several foreign escorts, set sail from Toulon this Thursday morning for the operational mission CLEMENCEAU 25. An aggregator of international forces by nature, the GAN will be reinforced in the Mediterranean Sea by allied Italian, American, Moroccan, and Greek frigates. "For a decade, more than thirty allied frigates and submarines have joined the ranks of the French GAN in operation. A true tool of naval superiority, power projection, and autonomous situation assessment, the GAN is deployed in a complex strategic environment. The deployment of this military capability underscores France's commitment to freedom of action and maritime and aerial navigation," explains a spokesperson for the Marine nationale. The CLEMENCEAU 25 mission helps develop interoperability and cooperation with partners and allies from the Mediterranean to the Pacific Ocean. This mission also contributes to the autonomous situation assessment capability, which is essential for France to prevent crises and, if necessary, intervene.

PACIFIC STELLER

During its deployment, the GAN contributes to NATO's defensive and deterrent posture in the Mediterranean and in Europe. To the west of the Indian Ocean, it will be integrated into the annual bilateral exercise VARUNA to deepen interoperability between the French and Indian navies. To the east of the Indian Ocean, the group will conduct exercise LA PEROUSE, in cooperation with the navies of the countries bordering the Indonesian archipelago around the theme of maritime security. Finally, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort will sail in the Pacific Ocean, notably for the PACIFIC STELLER exercise, in order to increase interoperability with the United States 7th Fleet. "France is deploying its carrier strike group (GAN) alongside its allies and strategic partners in the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific, areas of major interest for France, Europe, and its partners. This mission, exceptional in its duration and route, demonstrates France's ability to deploy an agile, reactive, adaptable, and autonomous military tool far and for a long time," indicates the Navy. •