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True or false. Was the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier delivered to NATO by France?
The legendary aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle began a two-week mission under NATO command in the Mediterranean on Monday April 22. Some denounce a loss of French sovereignty. The True or False team looked into the question.
(France 2)
The legendary aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle began a two-week mission under NATO command in the Mediterranean on Monday April 22. Some denounce a loss of French sovereignty. The True or False team looked into the question.
Many Internet users assure on social networks that France would have delivered the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to NATO. This is false: this is a temporary and reversible operational mission. For approximately two weeks, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will be placed under the operational control of NATO, an alliance between European and North American countries. He will obey the tactical orders of an American admiral. But on board, French sailors and officers will always be present and the French army will be able to regain control of this aircraft carrier at any time. “But this remains the first time that France will not have exclusive control of the Charles de Gaulle since its construction”explains journalist Lisa Beaujour.
Ensuring better cooperation
In a press release, the French army explains that it wants “build mutual trust from common know-how”. Clearly, the idea is to better understand the other NATO armed forces in order to cooperate better. France maintains its ties with the Americans within NATO in a context of tensions with Russia because of the war in Ukraine. “France is not the only country to put an aircraft carrier-type ship under NATO operational control. The British did so last year with their Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier”concludes Lisa Beaujour.
Among our sources:
Fact-checking “Highlighters”
French army press conference
