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While the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon remains in the UK, France sends the Charles de Gaulle to the eastern Med.
17:24, Thu, Mar 5, 2026 Updated: 17:26, Thu, Mar 5, 2026
France is sending the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean (Image: Getty)
The UK's response to a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri has been dwarfed by France. The French has sent their flagship, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, to the eastern Mediterranean along with its air wing and escorting frigates.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Rafale fighter jets, air defence systems and airborne radar systems had also been deployed to the Middle East since the US and Israel launched their attack on Iran. Critics of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have said the UK has been too slow in its response, which includes the deployment of HMS Dragon. The Type 45 air defence destroyer won't leave the UK until next week.
The 42,500 tonne Charles de Gaulle is powered by two nuclear reactors, which allow the giant vessel to operate for longer without having to refuel.
It is armed with Aster 15 surface to air missiles, 20mm Giat guns and electronic warfare systems, according to Euronews.
Charles de Gaulle is reported to have cost €3billion at the time it was built, which is about £1.9bn.
The vessel is 261 metres long and can carry 40 aircraft. These include Rafale M fighter jets and E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft.
It also carries AS365F Dauphin Pedro, EC725 Caracal and AS532 Cougar helicopters for use in search and rescue.
Rafale M jets are capable of carrying SCALP air to ground missiles with ranges in excess of 311 miles (500km).
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The Charles de Gaulle carries Rafale fighter jets (Image: Getty)
They can also carry AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles and Meteor air to air missiles.
The Charles de Gaulle is smaller than the United States' Nimitz and Ford classes, but still formidable.
It is the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier outside the US Navy and has taken part in operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria.
The vessel is also France's only aircraft carrier in operation. This compares to the US Navy's total of 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Britain has two aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, neither of which are nuclear-powered.
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Each of the Royal Navy's carriers weigh 65,000 tonnes, have a range of 10,000 nautical miles and can reach a top speed of 25 knots per hour.
They can carry up to 72 aircraft, including 36 F-35B fighter jets and any helicopter type used by Britain's Armed Forces.
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