Fire Breaks Out on France's "Charles de Gaulle" Aircraft Carrier During Maintenance

Reference News Network, October 8 According to the website of the "Russian Newspaper" on October 5, France's only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the "Charles de Gaulle," caught fire. At the time of the incident, the warship was undergoing technical maintenance in Toulon. The government did not disclose specific details, only stating that the fire occurred in the technical compartment and may have been caused by cutting operations using a welding torch. Crew members and the Toulon base fire brigade worked together to extinguish the blaze. The incident did not result in any casualties, and the onboard nuclear facility was not damaged.

As for when the "Charles de Gaulle" will return to service, experts currently have no conclusion. The initial plan was to complete this technical maintenance by December, but the timeline may now be delayed. The "Russian Newspaper" has summarized the main situation regarding this French aircraft carrier.

Aircraft carriers require technical maintenance after long periods of operation. Last year, as part of NATO's efforts to deter Russia, the "Charles de Gaulle" was deployed to the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic. Following the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, France moved the ship to the waters off Cyprus in March this year to "protect the island from Iranian missile attacks." It was then planned to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but a lasting ceasefire has not been achieved in the region. Ultimately, the "Charles de Gaulle" was returned to a French base for repairs.

The French take great pride in their only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, referring to it as the "pearl of the fleet" and a symbol of France's military strength. The ship officially joined the navy in 2001, five years later than originally planned. The construction of the aircraft carrier began as early as 1989 and was launched in 1994. The most recent modernization was completed in 2018.

The aircraft carrier was initially named after French Cardinal Richelieu, but President Chirac renamed it "Charles de Gaulle" during his term. The carrier has a full-load displacement of 42,500 tons, a length of 261 meters, and is equipped with two K15 nuclear reactors, with a maximum speed of 27 knots.

The "Charles de Gaulle" is equipped with "Aster" air defense missiles, but its primary weapons are aircraft. The ship can carry up to 40 aircraft, including the Dassault Rafale fourth-generation multirole fighter and various helicopters. The deck is equipped with catapults, allowing it to launch and recover U.S. F/A-18 Hornet fighters and C-2 Greyhound transport aircraft.

The "Charles de Gaulle" has participated in nearly all conflicts involving French intervention. Aircraft launched from its deck have bombed Gaddafi supporters in Libya, Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, and ISIS in Syria and Iraq. At other times, this aircraft carrier has sailed the world's oceans, showcasing France's military power.

Issues with the "Charles de Gaulle" were evident even before it entered service. During its construction, a spy scandal erupted between France and the UK: a British spy infiltrated the engineering team and collected all intelligence regarding this new French flagship. However, both countries ultimately quelled the scandal.

Before the aircraft carrier was launched, it was discovered that the deck length did not meet standards, necessitating an extension. Even after entering service, it frequently encountered technical problems. The propulsion system often malfunctioned, and propeller damage was common. Various fires were not uncommon, and there were incidents of crew members suffering from radiation contamination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ship was forced to suspend operations, with over 1,000 crew members infected with the virus.

Many experts have long pointed out that the "Charles de Gaulle" has reached the end of its service life, and its era has passed. Although it still sails the oceans, the strength that the French take pride in is no longer present. They are unable to bear the maintenance costs of the aircraft carrier, especially as each malfunction becomes more severe. The "Charles de Gaulle" was originally scheduled to be decommissioned in 2028, but given the turbulent global situation, this "veteran" may be forced to continue its service.

The problem is that there is currently no replacement for the "Charles de Gaulle." French President Macron has only promised to build a new naval flagship. The ship will be named "Liberté France." Macron has assured that it will be the most modern and powerful aircraft carrier. The French president stated that the new aircraft carrier will "demonstrate France's ambitions and strive to maintain the capability to project power thousands of kilometers from its shores." However, even according to the official plan, this new aircraft carrier will not be completed until at least 2038. (Translated by He Yingjun)