France Deploys Aircraft Carrier to Red Sea Ahead of Potential Hormuz Mission

May 6, 2026

France's nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle transited the Suez Canal on May 6, 2026, deploying to the Red Sea with 20 Rafale jets. France and the UK are leading over 40 countries planning a multinational mission to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, blocked by US-Iran hostilities. Trump announced Project Freedom on May 3, 2026, then halted it May 5. Macron emphasized the multinational operation would only proceed after the conflict's hottest phase subsides.

Charles de Gaulle deployment

▪The Charles de Gaulle completed a nearly two-month deployment in the eastern Mediterranean before moving to the Red Sea.
▪The Charles de Gaulle was deployed with an air wing of 20 Rafale jets and two E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft as well as three helicopters.
▪The Charles de Gaulle and its escorts will transit the Suez Canal on May 6, 2026.
▪France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is deploying into the Red Sea and towards the Gulf of Aden.
▪The Netherlands air-defense frigate Evertsen left the Charles de Gaulle carrier group deployment and is returning to its home port of Den Helder.

Strait of Hormuz security mission

▪France and the United Kingdom are leading a group of more than 40 countries drawing up plans to help restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
▪The Charles de Gaulle carrier group deployment will allow assessment of the regional operational environment before the Strait of Hormuz initiative kicks off.
▪French President Emmanuel Macron stated any multinational initiative to secure the Strait of Hormuz would only happen once the hottest phase of the conflict subsides.
▪France and the United Kingdom stated the international Strait of Hormuz mission would be strictly defensive and operate in consultation with relevant countries.
▪The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked due to hostilities between the United States and Iran.

US-Europe tensions

▪European countries have rejected calls by President Donald Trump to support the United States in securing the Strait of Hormuz.
▪President Donald Trump announced on May 5, 2026 that the Project Freedom military operation had been temporarily halted.
▪President Donald Trump announced on May 3, 2026 that the United States would start Project Freedom to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
▪President Donald Trump called European allies "cowards" in response to their rejection of support for securing the Strait of Hormuz.

French carrier capabilities

▪France is the only country besides the United States to operate a nuclear aircraft carrier with catapult launch systems.
▪The Charles de Gaulle is France's only aircraft carrier.
▪The Charles de Gaulle's catapult launch systems allow the French Navy to operate fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft and enable heavier fighter payloads.