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.

France is preparing to launch the PA-NG aircraft carrier program: a new stage in naval power

 

French shipbuilding company Naval Group has announced that the country plans to place an order for a promising aircraft carrier **PA-NG (Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération)** by the end of 2025. This project will be the largest warship ever built in Europe and is intended to replace the existing nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which has been in service since 2001. Delivery of the new ship is expected by 2038, which will strengthen France's position as one of the leaders in the field of maritime defense.   

The new generation aircraft carrier will be equipped with a nuclear power plant, providing high autonomy and power. Its displacement is estimated at 75,000 tons, which will surpass that of Charles de Gaulle (42,000 tons). The aircraft will be able to accommodate modern Rafale fighter jets, as well as promising unmanned aerial vehicles. The ship will receive an integrated combat control system and improved air and missile defense systems.  

The current flagship of the French navy, Charles de Gaulle, is undergoing modernization, but its operational life is limited. PA-NG will ensure the continuity of France's aircraft carrier capability, enhancing strategic independence and the ability to project power. The new ship will become the basis for operations in the open ocean and support the country's global interests.    

The PA-NG is being developed jointly with British and American partners, especially in terms of creating electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) and aircraft launch systems. This will allow France to introduce advanced technologies similar to those used on American Ford-class aircraft carriers.  

The creation of PA-NG underscores France's ambitions to strengthen defense independence in the face of growing geopolitical instability. The ship will also strengthen the country's role in coalition operations and demonstrate the technical potential of the European shipbuilding industry.  

France and Great Britain conducted large-scale exercises over the Black Sea

 French and British troops conducted a large-scale air operation over the western part of the Black Sea, demonstrating a coordinated demonstration of intelligence and air superiority amid the ongoing escalation of tensions in the region.

A large number of aircraft from both countries participated in the large-scale flight, which acted together to monitor the actions of the Russian military.The mission involved Rafale fighter jets and an E-2 Hawkeye long-range radar detection aircraft launched from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. , as well as Typhoon fighters of the Royal Air Force, Rivet Joint RC-135 electronic reconnaissance platform and support from tankers of both countries. 

The presence of the French E-3 Sentry long-range radar detection and control aircraft provided additional coordination and control, which made it possible to expand the surveillance zone over the entire maritime region of the Black Sea.

Flight tracking data showed that several tanker aircraft provided a long flight, which allowed the escort fighters and surveillance equipment to remain in place for a long time.

French and British carrier groups change to the Mediterranean

 

Flagship aircraft carrier CSG 25 HMS Prince of Wales

After a 105-day deployment east of Suez, the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91), accompanied by the Horizon-class frigate FS Forbin (D620), the FREMM Provence (D652) and Alsace (D656) class frigates and the tanker Jacques Chevallier (A725) passed north through the Suez 

Canal on April 7. The Clemencau 25 Carrier Strike Group (CSG) now appears to be heading home to Toulon, and it likely includes a nuclear-powered attack submarine, the type of which has not been identified.

While the French are returning home, the British CSG 25 is preparing to sail from Portsmouth for an eight-month round trip to the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, including transit through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. CSG 25 flagship HMS Prince of Wales (R09) has completed the Tamber Shield exercise in the North Sea, a 20-day deployment preparation, and has loaded from an ammunition depot in Scotland. A detailed deployment schedule has not been released, but CSG is scheduled for April 22.

Based on a similar deployment to the Pacific Ocean of its sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) in 2021, the Prince of Wales CSG is likely to pass through the Red Sea in May and return in November. It is unclear whether this plan was coordinated with the United States, for which the simultaneous maintenance of two aircraft carriers in the CENTCOM zone puts a strain on resources.