Charles de Gaulle-class

Summary

Description

Charles de Gaulle is the flagship of the French Navy and the tenth French aircraft carrier. As the first nuclear-powered surface vessel of France and the only completed nuclear carrier outside the U.S. Navy, it was commissioned in 2001. Named after the former French president and general, the vessel carries a variety of aircraft, including Dassault Rafale M fighters, E-2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft, and helicopters like the AS365F Dauphin Pedro and EC725 Caracal for combat search and rescue. Its advanced electronics and Aster missiles make it a robust platform for power projection.

The design embodies a CATOBAR configuration with two 75 m C13‑3 steam catapults akin to a shorter version found on U.S. Nimitz-class carriers, enabling the operation of various aircraft types, including American F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and C-2 Greyhounds. The vessel's air group is composed of multiple squadrons of Rafale M fighters and E-2C Hawkeye aircraft. The air group also allows for operation of US Navy aircraft, demonstrating interoperability and international collaboration.

Charles de Gaulle was constructed to replace the conventionally powered Foch and had its hull laid down in April 1989 at the DCNS Brest naval shipyard. Change of name from Richelieu to Charles de Gaulle occurred in 1987 under Prime Minister Jacques Chirac's government. Despite a series of delays due to funding issues and economic downturns, accompanied by allegations of espionage, the vessel was eventually commissioned in May 2001.

Early operational challenges surfaced during sea trials in 1999, requiring the extension of the flight deck for E-2C Hawkeye operations. More severe issues included a reactor incident and structural faults in the propellers that forced the use of spare ones from Clemenceau, limiting performance. After a maintenance period, Charles de Gaulle achieved its designed speed post-refitting with new propellers and upgrades to its air group and weapon systems by the end of 2008.

The carrier has been critical in multiple operations, most notably during France's contributions to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. It has also supported coalition forces in various conflicts, including action against the Islamic State. The carrier's operational history includes deployment in the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and combat operations in Afghanistan, Syria, and Libya, showcasing interoperable capabilities with allies such as the United States and India.

Charles de Gaulle regularly undergoes maintenance and upgrades to enhance its operational capability. In 2017-2018, it underwent an 18-month midlife upgrade and refit which included reactor refueling and systems modernization. Throughout its service, the Charles de Gaulle strike group has conducted multinational naval exercises and has shown flexible deployment capabilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, a significant outbreak occurred onboard, leading to a revision of health management practices after nearly 60% of the crew tested positive.

Regarding the future of French carriers, there's an ongoing consideration for developing a new carrier as Charles de Gaulle remains the only one in service after the cancellation of the second carrier (PA2) project. Efforts continue to define the requirements for a future carrier, with announcements related to starting construction for a new generation of carriers in the coming years.

Technical specifications

Photo of Charles de Gaulle class