Quote:
Originally Posted by JonDuke
Aircraft carriers are already en route. I'd think it's safe to say the ground assault happens quickly and at a ferocious level.
|
The Charles De Gaulle was already on the way to the region to help support the Nato lead action in the middle east.
Its the flagship of the French Navy and the worlds only Nuclear powered aircraft carrier outside of the US inventory.
It carries 40 aircraft including a squadron each of the Rafale M and the Super Etendard dedicated strike aircraft.
On top of that it has a contingent of up to 800 ground troops including Special Forces. I have no doubt that its mission has changed.
I would expect that France will now augment their presence with 2 or 3 of their Mistral amphibious assualt carriers that could add a division and assault helicopters to their force
Where the French are short is in terms of land attack missiles in their navy, I don't believe that their attack subs carry ground attack cruise missiles and their frigates don't really have much in terms of ground attack capability.