Royal Navy and French Navy to deploy a common carrier and amphibious battle group in the Fall
 
Royal Navy and Marine Nationale plan to deploy a large naval force in the Mediterranean in the fall of 2012 with aircraft carriers, amphibious vessels, destroyers and frigates.

Royal Navy and Marine Nationale plan to deploy a large naval force in the Mediterranean in the fall of 2012 with aircraft carriers, amphibious vessels, destroyers and frigates.

 
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World Navy Force News - UK / France
 
 
 
Royal Navy and French Navy to deploy a common carrier and amphibious battle group in the Fall
 

Royal Navy and Marine Nationale plan to deploy a large naval force in the Mediterranean in the fall of 2012 with aircraft carriers, amphibious vessels, destroyers and frigates.

Royal Navy will deploy its Response Force Task Group, which will include the Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) HMS Ocean and Light Aircraft Carrier (CVL) HMS Illustrious used as helicotper carrier.

French Navy is expected to deploy its carrier battle group with the nuclear powered aircraft carrier (CVN) Charles de Gaulle, and probably an amphibious group, with a Mistral class amphibious assault ship.

Both navies will desploy destroyers, frigates and submarines to escort the capital ships of the common naval force as well as auxiliary ships to ressuply the large number of vessels. This deployement will also involve ground units: Royal Marines, French Marine Infantry (9th BLBMa) as well as several helicopter transport and combat helicotpers are expected to be detached to the various amphibious vessels and carriers.

     
Royal Navy and Marine Nationale plan to deploy a large naval force in the Mediterranean in the fall of 2012 with aircraft carriers, amphibious vessels, destroyers and frigates.
French Carrier and amphibious assault ship
(Picture: French Navy)

     
The objective of this major deployement, is to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the two main European navies. Despite relations between Britain and France getting cold in recent weeks over European issues and despite the cancelation of the Cameron / Sarkozy meeting scheduled for December it seems like military cooperation between the two countries remains unaffected. As part of the defense agreement signed in November 2010, the two countries, discussed the establishment of a Franco-British expeditionary force.