The United States Navy, with their powerful aircraft carriers, has controlled the Mediterranean since the end of the Second World War. These huge carriers, armed with squadrons of attack, bomber, and reconnaissance aircraft, allowed the Americans to move at will in the Mediterranean. The Russians made an occasional attempt to challenge the American power, but they had only one or two small carriers and no bases in the area.

The Charles De Gaulle nuclear aircraft carrier. The ship's compliment includes 1,150 total ship's crew, plus 550 airgroup personnel. The hull design is based on the Clemenceau aircraft carrier, but with a more sturdy construction and better protection systems.

With the end of the "Cold War," the US Navy has come under tremendous pressure to cut its massive budget. As a result, the US is reducing its carrier fieet, which seems a prudent measure in view of the current world situation. However, with peace breaking out all over, a most unusual event occurred in the Mediterranean in May, 1994. The French launched the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle. The new carrier is the largest, nuclear-powered warship built in Europe since 1950.

The De Gaulle is 625 ft long, with a beam of 86.3 ft and a draught of 23.3 ft. The flight deck is 717 ft long, and the ship has a fully loaded displacement of 40,000 tons. The carrier is powered by two K15 nuclear reactors, which give it a top speed of 27 kts and an endurance of 5 years at sea without refueling.

The mission of the new carrier is to conduct airstrikes against land or naval targets and to protect French interests abroad. The De Gaulle, armed with 23 fixed-wing aircraft and two helicopters, can launch an aircraft every minute during intense operations.

Though still smaller than the fleet carriers of the United States, the De Gaulle joins the carriers Foch and Clemenceau in the Mediterranean. Together they represent a formidable naval force that is supported by naval bases and airfields in the south of France. It may be only a matter of time before the French Navy becomes the most powerful navy in the Mediterranean.

Battle Briefs

The Charge of the Light Division
A New Player in the Mediterranean: French Carrier
Operation Zaunkonig 1944