French Nuclear Aircraft Carrier in Sweden: Seducing for Frigate Sale
The nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Source: Flickr, Pascal Subtil, CC BY-SA 2.0
On January 27, residents of Toulon, accustomed to the sight of the elegant but technically unreliable nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, the bane of the French budget and the flagship of the French Navy, moored in port, saw the warship off on a four-month voyage from which, with luck, it would return without urgent repairs.
Less than a month later, on February 25, the only European and French nuclear aircraft carrier capable of carrying air-launched missiles with nuclear warheads made a truly historic port call in the Swedish city of Malmö, whose population is almost half first-generation immigrants and whose crime rate is third in the country of 10 million.
From a purely military-technical perspective, this visit was quite dangerous, given the ship’s 9.5-meter draft and the host port, where berths are predominantly of the same depth. There were only a few meters between the tops of the aircraft carrier’s masts and the road bridge across the Øresund Strait.
Surely, the French bravado will soon be recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the first entry of a medium-class, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier into a body of water often referred to by naval sailors as the Baltic Puddle due to its small size and depths.
From a political and commercial perspective, the visit could prove highly beneficial, as underscored by French press reports, the essence of which can be found below. The powerful profile of a 42,000-ton warship, capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft, should help France win the competition to build new frigates for the Swedish Navy, the results of which will be announced soon.
The unexpected visit to the Baltic by the French carrier strike group, which could not all fit in a single harbor and was forced to disperse, also has a geopolitical dimension and possibly lays the foundation for Europe’s strategic autonomy, including the extension of the French nuclear umbrella over a Europe seemingly left without American protection.
It is no coincidence that the aircraft carrier’s visit to Sweden took place less than a week before Macron’s March 2 speech presenting France’s updated nuclear doctrine.
From statements by French military personnel during the visit, it also follows that France is counting on a larger share of Europe’s prospective large-scale military orders from European NATO countries, in which it is a natural competitor to Germany, the European industrial leader. Just in case, the retired French general, now the French ambassador to Sweden, is practically apologizing to the United States for his country’s behavior, pointing out that these actions are not against the fading global hegemon. And this sounds quite pathetic.
There was also a Russian connection: the French strike group sent a strong signal to vessels of uncertain nationality, which periodically sever underwater cables and pipelines in the Baltic. To heighten the drama---and the French are renowned for their skill at this---a drone appeared in the sky near the aircraft carrier, shot down shortly thereafter and immediately declared Russian.
It’s fortunate that the well-known Russian “spy whale” named Hvaldimir, who had been under surveillance by the Norwegian Navy for several years, had already died by this time. Otherwise, he would certainly have appeared alongside the French carrier to conduct a detailed reconnaissance mission.
Defending Europe’s Northern Flank
The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, flagship of the French Navy, arrived in the port of Malmö, Sweden, February 25. This is only the second time in 25 years that the ship has ventured to such high latitudes in Europe.
This unprecedented deployment to the Baltic Sea marks a key stage in the mission dubbed “La Fayette 26,” illustrating France’s commitment to the security of Europe’s northern flank.
During its deployment, the French naval group will participate in NATO’s “Baltic Sentry” operation in the Baltic Sea, designed to deter any threat to submarine infrastructure following cable cuts attributed to ships of the shadow fleet linked to Moscow.
Bolstering Security in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic
While the warship’s presence will play a key role in Operation La Fayette 26, planned for this spring to bolster security in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic, it also serves to “highlight the close operational ties with our Swedish ally,” according to the X account dedicated to defense relations between the two countries.
“La Fayette 26 strengthens France’s and NATO’s deterrence in Europe, secures maritime approaches, improves interoperability with allies, and promotes a free, open, and stable maritime space within the framework of international law,” the account boasts.
Appeasing the United States
This long-planned deployment comes as the Atlantic Alliance has just launched its “Arctic Sentry” mission to strengthen security in the Arctic, an initiative aimed in particular at appeasing the United States, which was at one point tempted to annex Greenland.
Russian submarines from the Northern Fleet and the Baltic Fleet regularly maneuver in this area. The French naval group includes the aircraft carrier and its aircraft, as well as various escort and support vessels, such as several frigates, a supply ship, and an attack submarine. In addition to its significant operational capabilities, it also serves as a strategic and diplomatic communication tool.
“Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Moroccan, British, Norwegian, Danish, and German warships will reinforce the French Task Force” during its deployment, according to the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
Participation in a Series of Military Exercises
The carrier strike group will also take part in the allied exercises Steadfast Dart and Neptune Strike, as well as Cold Response. The latter, led by Norway, mobilizes more than 30,000 troops for combat training in the Arctic.
According to Rear Admiral Thibault de Possesse, head of the Rapid Reaction Air-Maritime Force, interviewed by AFP, this “presence (of the Charles de Gaulle) obviously contributes to the deterrent and discouraging effect on all those who would want to attack NATO interests in the region. But the deployment wasn’t solely for that purpose: it was decided upon to strengthen ties with our allies in the region, to learn—or relearn—how to work together and continuously improve.”
More Swedish Police and Radiation Control, Just in Case
The 260-meter-long aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle can accommodate about 30 fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters, in addition to a crew of about 1,800 people.
Security is heightened around the aircraft carrier. The giant aircraft carrier is unsurprisingly attracting considerable attention from Malmö residents and the many tourists. Swedish police and military police have increased patrols due to the presence of almost 2,000 French sailors and soldiers in the city.
Since the aircraft carrier is essentially a “floating nuclear power plant,” as Sydsvenskan writes, the Swedish authorities must be prepared for a nuclear accident in the worst case scenario.
The radiation protection services have also developed an emergency plan in case of a nuclear reactor failure on the aircraft carrier, but authorities consider the risk to be very low.
Seducing Sweden into a Big Deal
Johan Granholm, a researcher at the Swedish Defence University, emphasizes the significant publicity generated by this event. He notes that France is strategically using this visit to highlight its political and commercial presence in Sweden.
France aims to secure a multi-billion dollar contract with Sweden for the supply of frigates.
French aircraft carrier visit to the Baltic Sea has a dual objective: to strengthen military ties with Sweden and to showcase France’s capabilities as Stockholm prepares to award a multi-billion euro contract for the construction of frigates.
This visit coincides with France’s intensified efforts to secure a lucrative contract to build four new frigates for the Swedish Navy.
This French cooperation also represents a strong signal sent to Stockholm, against the backdrop of a massive contract to be won. The Swedish government is about to decide whether France, Spain, or the United Kingdom will build four frigates for the Swedish Navy, a project estimated at $5 billion.
Earlier this month, France presented its state-of-the-art frigate, the Amiral Ronarc’h, in Sweden. Naval Group, the French shipbuilder, is competing with Babcock International Group Plc (UK) and Navantia SA (Spain) for this major contract, the largest warship modernization program in Sweden in decades.
To convince Stockholm to award the contract to Naval Group, Paris assured Sweden last November that it could deliver a “fully equipped” frigate by 2030. Sweden has launched a tender for four such vessels, which it hopes to receive by 2035.
“Our model already exists, since we have a frigate that is currently operational, the Amiral Ronarc’h, which will be in Gothenburg (western Sweden) early next year,” argued French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin. As early as June 2025, France had strengthened its defense ties with Stockholm. Notably, it replaced its Boeing radar aircraft with Swedish planes at the Paris Air Show.
Ready for Nuclear Weapons
Although France’s aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, does not have nuclear-capable ASMPA missiles permanently onboard, there are reserve missiles that can be “rapidly deployed” on the carrier in the case of nuclear operations. France continues to modernize its nuclear arsenal and develop new missiles.
Captain Yann-Eric, the second in command who shows us the ship, dodges the question of whether such missiles are on board.
“We could have it. We are prepared to take them on board,” he says.
Charles de Gaulle is the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier outside the US, and she has never been to Sweden before.
French Military Presence in Sweden Is Increased Tenfold
The visit of the French aircraft carrier gives a signal that the Union’s last great power is ready to help Sweden meet the threat from Russia.
“Sweden is our foremost ally in the region. That is why we have drastically increased our military presence,” says Ambassador Thierry Carlier.
France has clearly turned its military focus towards northern Europe.
During the spring and winter of last year alone, the French Air Force visited Luleå three times, dropping sharp bombs from Rafale planes. French ships have been involved in NATO’s Baltic Sentry operation in the Baltic Sea. In January, two Rafale planes were based in Uppsala, and in February, the state-of-the-art frigate Amiral Ronarc’h docked in Gothenburg.
France is also participating in the forward presence, FLF, that Sweden is building up for NATO in Finland.
“Just a few years ago, French ships made maybe two or three port visits a year in Sweden. Guess how many we have made in the last two years alone? 33. We have almost increased our presence in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea tenfold,” says Thierry Carlier, French Ambassador to Sweden and former five-star general.
The Swedish Armed Forces’ Chief of Operations Ewa Skoog Haslum, on site at the Charles de Gaulle’s pier, welcomes the increased presence:
“Having France present here in our area plays a big role. We must create stable security and an entire aircraft carrier group is a very concrete and great capability.”
Strategic Signal
According to Thierry Carlier, the visit sends a very strong strategic signal:
“It shows that together we, Sweden and France, can embody a European pillar within NATO. It also shows that we can defend ourselves,” he says.
“The geopolitical context brings us closer together every day. That is why it is important to show the level of cooperation we have achieved between our countries.”
Please Don’t Think This Is Directed Against the US
As Europe is now rearming, France would like to see European weapons purchased, so that industries and production capacity can be built up at home.
“It is not against the United States to say that we must take our destiny into our own hands, and that we must have our own European military capabilities. It is a unique opportunity to create it now, when all countries in Europe are scaling up and increasing their defense spending,” says Thierry Carlier.
“If many countries continue to buy American weapons off the shelf, we have missed that opportunity.”
Source:
- Euronews (in French)
- Business AM (in French)
- BFMTV (in French)
- Mer et Marine (in French)
- Le Figaro (in French)
- News Øresund (in Swedish)
- Aftonbladet (in Swedish)
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