Charles de Gaulle left Toulon

Today, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) departed from the naval base in Toulon, marking the start of the Clemenceau 2025 mission.

The Naval Air Group (GAN), organized around the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, consists of three French frigates, a supply ship, a submarine, and several foreign escort ships.

As an aggregator of international allied forces, the GAN is strengthened in the Mediterranean by Italian, the ITS Virginio Fasan F 591, American, Moroccan, and Greek frigates. Over the past decade, about thirty frigates and submarines have joined the French GAN during its operations. A true tool of naval superiority, rapid response capability, and strategic situational awareness, the GAN is deployed in a complex strategic environment. The use of this military capability highlights France’s attachment to maintaining maritime security and international stability.

Benvenuto à la frégate italienne 🇮🇹Virgino Fasan dans la base navale @VilleDeToulon !

La frégate sera intégrée au groupe aéronaval pour la mission #CLEMENCEAU25

Merci à nos alliés italiens pour cette coopération à venir.
🇮🇹 🤝🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/spcFZQ4Nfr

— Cecmed (@Cecmed_Off) November 27, 2024

CLEMENCEAU 25 aims to develop interoperability and cooperation with France’s allied and partner forces from the Mediterranean to the Pacific Ocean. This mission contributes to France’s ability to assess the situation, a key element for preventing crises and, if necessary, taking action.

During its deployment, the GAN will contribute to NATO’s deterrence posture in the Mediterranean and Europe. Off the Indian Ocean coast, it will participate in the bilateral exercise VARUNA to enhance interoperability with the French and Indian navies. In the Pacific Ocean, it will take part in the exercise LA PEROUSE in cooperation with allied navies in the Indo-Pacific archipelago. Finally, the Charles de Gaulle and its escort will navigate the Pacific Ocean, participating in the US Navy’s 7th Fleet exercise PACIFIC STEELER to strengthen interoperability.

France is deploying its Naval Air Group (GAN) alongside its allies and strategic partners in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific, two major areas of importance for France, Europe, and its allies. This exceptional operational capacity highlights France’s ability to deploy over long durations with a military unit that is reactive, adaptable, and autonomous.