Naval victories depend on aircraft carriers: French naval officer

• French Captain George Florentine emphasizes the importance of aircraft carriers in winning battles at sea.

• Despite concerns about their viability, several Indo-Pacific nations are increasing the number of larger carriers.

• The French Navy plans to induct a new carrier by 2038, while the Indian Navy is awaiting approval for a second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier.

• Florentine emphasizes the need to transfer carrier operating skills from one generation to the next to enable the new generation to operate a larger carrier with newer technologies.

• The Charles de Gaulle also exercised with a U.S. carrier and Japan’s helicopter carrier.

• French Chief of the French Carrier Strike Group, Rear Admiral Jacques Mallard, emphasizes the importance of maintaining the status quo and sharing the high seas.

• The Chinese Navy’s rapid expansion in the Indo-Pacific region is attracting interest, particularly with the Rafale-M fighter jets, E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft, and helicopters.

• The Indian Navy is looking to induct 26 Rafale-Ms in the coming years, with a deal for 26 awaiting final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security.

• The Chinese Navy operates two aircraft carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, and a fourth likely to be nuclear powered, under construction.