Coordinated deployment of aircraft carriers of Great Britain, France and Italy in the Indo-Pacific region: strengthening the presence of European fleets

In 2025, the Navies of Great Britain, France and Italy announced plans for the coordinated deployment of their aircraft carriers in the Indo-Pacific region, a step that marks the growth of European military interest in this strategically important area. This decision was a response to China's growing influence and increasing pressure from Russia, as well as part of a broader strategy to ensure freedom of navigation and strengthen international order in the Pacific Ocean.

The Royal Navy of Great Britain, the second largest in tonnage in the world, is taking a key role in the new initiative. Despite the fact that only a third of the British navy's destroyers are operational, the country continues to demonstrate activity outside Europe. The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is scheduled to be sent to the Indo-Pacific region to participate in joint operations. This will be a logical continuation of recent maneuvers, when British ships were already monitoring Russian maritime activity in May 2025.

In this context, special attention is being paid to the introduction of new technologies, such as the autonomous SWEEP system designed to detect naval mines — this increases the combat stability of the fleet in difficult conditions.

The French Navy, which is actively developing the Vortex hypersonic space aircraft project, also intends to demonstrate its projection of power in the Indo-Pacific region using the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. The move underscores Paris' desire to expand its global influence, especially after massive investments in the defense industry.

Italy, which has experience in operations with the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, has declared its readiness to participate in multinational exercises in the southern waters of the Pacific Ocean. The participation of all three countries in a single deployment indicates increased coordination between the European fleets and their desire to work together in a changing geopolitical environment.

This joint deployment is not just a demonstration of military might, but also a political signal to Moscow and Beijing. It recalls that European Powers remain involved in security issues at the global level, especially in light of the decline in the number of combat vehicles and equipment over the past two decades. In addition, it opens up opportunities for enhanced cooperation with countries such as Japan, South Korea and Australia, which are also concerned about the growing militarization in the region.