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Closer Look at Firepower of France’s Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier

© AFP 2023 / PATRICK BAZ Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier
Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier - Sputnik International
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The French Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle, which sailed Wednesday from southern France to the eastern Mediterranean to support the fight against ISIL, isn’t as powerful as some might think, the National Interest reported.

Flight deck crew work on Rafale fighter jets aboard the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle before its departure from the naval base of Toulon, France, November 18, 2015 - Sputnik International
French Aircraft Carrier to Reach Anti-ISIL Operation Zone Within Week
The 42,500-ton warship is expected to play a key role in France's anti-ISIL campaign serving as a platform for French airplanes to land. The aircraft carrier is heading to the coast of Syria or Lebanon to assist French forces already engaged in the anti-ISIL fight.

According to the National Interest, the Charles de Gaulle can carry a maximum of 40 Rafale fighter jets, one Dassault-Breguet Super Etendard carrier-born strike fighter, one Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeyes aircraft and a bunch helicopters.

Despite the array of deadly aircraft on board the ship, when it comes to a firepower the Charles de Gaulle doesn't even come close to the Nimitz or Ford-class aircraft carriers made by the United States, which can carry as many as 130 F/A-18 Hornets or 90 aircraft of different types.

"The ship is less than half the size [of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier] and it doesn't have the deck space to accommodate as many aircraft or launch and recover those jets at the same rate," the National Interest said.

The Charles de Gaulle's flight deck isn't as long as that of US aircraft carriers and that's why it can't simultaneously launch and recover operations.

Furthermore, although the French aircraft carrier is said to carry 40 fighter jets, in reality it doesn't carry that many planes at any one time, the US magazine said.

Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender is mirrored in water following a downpour on the dockside - Sputnik International
UK Sends Warship to Back French Aircraft Carrier
Despite being not so powerful in comparison with the aircraft carriers of other countries, the Charles de Gaulle is still a "relatively capable vessel," the source said.

The sailing of the French aircraft carrier is important, especially in light of  last week's terrorist attacks, as Hollande has vowed to punish ISIL forces which claimed responsibility for the killings.

The move will provide a boost to multinational efforts, led by Russia and the US, aimed at tackling ISIL, the brutal group responsible for countless atrocities in the Middle East and beyond. Its latest assaults include the crash of a Russian passenger jet in Egypt, multiple deadly attacks in Paris on November 13 and bombings in Beirut two days earlier.    

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