French Navy | Carrier Strike Group A

[Bruno]

French Navy | Carrier Strike Group A | Secret and Classified​

Objective​

Project French naval power in the Atlantic, ensure rapid response capability, maintain air superiority, conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and deter adversarial threats through sustained power projection.

ORBAT​

• Charles de Gaulle-class Aircraft Carrier -- Fully Armed, fully crewed and fueled -- Airwing: 30x Dassault Rafale M, 6x Eurocopter AS565 Panther
• Horizon-class Frigate (x2) -- Fully Armed, fully crewed and fueled -- Airwing: 1x Eurocopter AS565 Panther (ASW)
• FREMM-class Multi-Role Frigate (x2) -- Fully Armed, fully crewed and fueled -- Airwing: 1x Eurocopter AS565 Panther (ASW)
• Sachsen-class Frigate (x1) -- Fully Armed, fully crewed and fueled -- Airwing: 1x Eurocopter AS565 Panther (ASW)
• Trafalgar-class Submarine (SSN) (x1) -- Fully Armed, fully crewed and fueled
• Scorpène-class Submarine (SSK) (x1) -- Fully Armed, fully crewed and fueled
• Durance-class Replenishment Vessel (x1) --Fully Armed, fully crewed and fueled
• Dupuy de Lôme-Class (x1) -- Fully Armed, fully crewed and fueled

Location of the Operation​

North Atlantic (Bastion Delta), with flexibility to reinforce Mediterranean if required.

Key Objectives​

• Maintain air superiority through 24/7 Combat Air Patrols (CAP).
• Conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW) with layered defense (FREMM frigates, AS565 Panthers, SSN/SSK).
• Project power via long-range strike (Rafale Ms with SCALP EG/Hammer missiles).
• Ensure logistical sustainability (30-day endurance via Durance-class replenishment).
• Deter adversarial actions through visible presence and rapid response capability.

Formation​

• Carrier Center: Charles de Gaulle (flagship).
• Outer Screen: 2x Horizon-class (AAW), 1x Sachsen-class (AAW/ESCORT).
• Inner Screen: 2x FREMM-class (ASW), 1x Trafalgar-class SSN, 1x Scorpène-class SSK.
• Logistics: 1x Durance-class, 1x Dupuy de Lôme-Class.

 

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Transit to location : JN JM IM IN​

The Mediterranean would shine over Toulon as the Charles de Gaulle’s deck buzzed with activity, mechanics in grease-stained coveralls swarmed over Rafale Ms, conducting final armament checks, while deck crews secured the last AS565 Panthers in the hangar, their rotors folded like the wings of resting birds. On the carrier’s island, Captain Pierre barked orders through the crackling intercom, his voice steady despite the controlled chaos.

Nearby, the Horizon-class frigates Forbin and Chevalier Paul stood at the ready, their Aster missile launchers primed and 76mm guns manned by alert crews. In Brest, the FREMM-class frigates Aquitaine and Provence ran final tests on their CAPTAS-4 sonars, the rhythmic pinging echoing through their hulls as they searched for the faintest underwater contacts. The Sachsen’s APAR radar spun methodically, its operators scanning for any aerial threats, while below the surface, the nuclear-powered Flamant and diesel-electric Rubis completed their pre-dive checks, their crews running through final procedures on their torpedo tubes and sonar arrays. The Marne’s crew loaded the last barrels of JP-5 fuel and missile pallets, while aboard the Dupuy de Lôme, technicians powered up the ship’s advanced SIGINT suites, the antennas already intercepting distant transmissions.

At first light, the submarines departed first. Flamant’s hull vanished beneath the waves with barely a ripple, its crew settling into the routine of silent patrol. An hour later, Rubis followed, its diesel engines humming softly as it joined the hunt. As dawn broke, the Charles de Gaulle began its turn out of Toulon Harbor, the carrier’s massive bulk cutting through the calm waters as the frigates formed a protective diamond around it. At 0800 hours, the first 4x Rafales launched, their afterburners glowing brightly as they climbed into the morning sky to establish the initial Combat Air Patrol over the forming Carrier Strike Group.

The CSG transited the Strait at midday, the Rock’s imposing silhouette passing to starboard as the formation entered the Atlantic. The ocean greeted them with long, rolling swells, but the crews, seasoned by countless exercises, remained unfazed. Watch rotations settled into their rhythm, with lookouts scanning the horizon with binoculars and radar operators tracking every contact on their screens. The Marne conducted its first replenishment drill, the crew practicing the intricate dance of coming alongside the carrier to transfer fuel, ammunition, and supplies.

By Day 5 of the deployment, the GARR had reached its designated patrol area in Bastion Delta (IN). The sea state had calmed, and the fleet settled into its operational pattern. Captain Laurent’s voice came over the secure net, calmly he said: "All units, this is GARR Command. Commence operations." The order was acknowledged across the formation, and the tempo of activity immediately increased. Rafales began launching in pairs to maintain a 24/7 Combat Air Patrol, while Panthers took to the skies from the frigates, their dipping sonars probing the depths. Below the surface, Flamant and Rubis assumed their patrol stations, their passive sonars listening intently. The Atlantic was now France’s domain, and the GARR stood ready to project power, deter aggression, and respond to any threat with decisive force.

The Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will follow this patrol cycle for the duration of its deployment: IN > HN > GM > GL > GK > HK > HL > Il > IM > IN, to sustain operations indefinitely, the closest Durance-class Replenishment Vessel will rotate with another vessel from its class whenever supplies run low, ensuring continuous logistical support. At all times, the CSG will strictly avoid national waters, operating exclusively in international waters and airspace in full compliance with international law.