By Yun Ruijing
It is reported that France is about to send its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort to the Indo-Pacific region. Being France's first and the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle is also the only carrier among European nations capable of accommodating fixed-wing early warning aircraft.
According to Chinese military observer Cui Yiliang, France currently has minimal military influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Combined with the logistical challenges of deploying an aircraft carrier on extended missions, future aircraft carrier deployments are likely to be largely symbolic. Overseas territories of France in the Indo-Pacific region are sparsely distributed, resulting in limited influence in the region. The military presence of France in this region is primarily aimed at maintaining basic ground defense for its overseas territories.
Cui believes that the deployment of the Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the Indo-Pacific region faces significant challenges in implementation, including the need for maintenance, upkeep, and logistical support. Theoretically, the Charles de Gaulle CSG's deployment in the Indo-Pacific region will not be prolonged. It has to return to address force requirements in Europe and the Middle East.
In addition to France, other NATO member states have also been frequently demonstrating their military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. In April this year, the United Kingdom announced that it would send the HMS Prince of Wales CSG to visit Japan in the future. In August this year, the Italian aircraft carrier Giant Cavour docked in Japan for the first time and held joint training with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Cui analyzed that the Indo-Pacific region is playing an increasingly important role in maritime trade activities. NATO members view the Indo-Pacific region as an important strategic area for the future. This trend poses a challenge to the traditional geopolitical balance and prompts relevant countries to deploy warships and aircraft to project their direct influence. In the future, the interventions of NATO in the Indo-Pacific region will increase, which will not promote regional balance but rather exacerbate the instability of the power struggle in the region.
Editor's note: Originally published on military.cnr.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
