Limassol, Cyprus. Radar data and open-source reporting indicate the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is located south of Limassol. France has said its carrier strike group remains deployed in the eastern Mediterranean on a defensive mission.
Drone sightings point to ship’s position
Open-source intelligence website Itamilradar reported that reconnaissance drones belonging to the French navy had been spotted on radars flying south of Cyprus, indicating the ship’s position.
The drone used was a Schiebel Camcopter S-100, a rotary-wing drone used for reconnaissance and surveillance that can take off and land directly from military vessels.
French foreign ministry denies Red Sea deployment reports
The locating of the ship comes after the French foreign ministry at the weekend denied reports that it planned to deploy the Charles de Gaulle in the Red Sea and potentially to the Strait of Hormuz amid a deepening conflict in the Middle East.
“Let’s be clear. There is no change in posture, and the French aircraft carrier strike group remains deployed in the eastern Mediterranean,” the ministry said, adding that France’s mission in the region is “defensive” and “protective”.
Strike group composition and timeline
The Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group includes Italy’s Federico Martinego frigate, Spain’s Cristobal Colon frigate, and the Netherlands’ HNLMS Evertsen.
No timeframe has been published for an eventual end to the group’s deployment. Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant reported last week that the country’s government said the sending of its frigate would be “a limited deployment of a defensive nature, both geographically and in terms of time”.
The report said the ship would remain in Cypriot waters until the beginning of next month.
Macron visit and statements in Cyprus
French President Macron visited the Charles de Gaulle last week after a joint visit to Cyprus alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Macron said during that visit that the Charles de Gaulle is “now close to Cyprus to contribute to the overall defence picture, and to ensure it in the long term”.
While in Cyprus, Macron also said France wishes to “ensure the freedom of navigation and maritime safety in the eastern Mediterranean, where we are, and in the Red Sea”.
What impact do you think the carrier strike group’s presence near Cyprus could have on maritime security in the region?
