On July 20, 2025, local time, French media first revealed some details about the "Clemenceau-25" exercise of the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier battle group heading to the Asia-Pacific region. On the 21st, the French side again revealed some interesting stories during the Clemenceau-25 exercise. Due to the French Navy's ambiguous stance on whether the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier is carrying nuclear weapons, Japan refused to allow the French Navy to dock at the Ryukyu Islands, citing the "non-nuclear principle."

The French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was denied docking at the Ryukyu Islands by Japanese authorities

The French Navy refused to clarify whether its aircraft carrier and Rafale naval fighters carry nuclear warheads, and was denied access to the Ryukyu port. France is the only country that has a permanent nuclear weapon storage room on its aircraft carrier. However, according to French statements, if the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier really carries nuclear warheads, the maintenance time would be too long given its long voyage and prolonged combat readiness. The route includes the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and East China Sea, with visits to countries such as Egypt, UAE, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. If a nuclear explosion were to occur on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, it would cause disasters in the host countries. Therefore, it is highly suspected that the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier does not have nuclear weapons, but the French Navy does not want to admit it. Hence, they ignored Japan's request and chose not to dock at the Ryukyu Islands. The U.S. Navy's aircraft carriers have explicitly stated they do not carry nuclear weapons, which is stipulated by the START treaty. Both U.S. and Russian aircraft carriers have treaties that clearly specify they do not carry nuclear weapons.

French media reported that the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was nervous when passing through the Red Sea

France is the only country that has a permanent nuclear weapon storage room on its aircraft carrier. Since the French Air Force retired the Mirage IV strategic bomber (launched in 1956, mass-produced in 1964, a total of 62 produced, which was the core equipment of France's nuclear deterrence system. It was one of the three pillars of France's nuclear triad for a long time. The bombing type was retired in 1996, and the reconnaissance type in 2005), the French air-based nuclear strike capability has always relied on the Mirage 2000 fighter jets and Rafale fighter jets. France extended its air-based nuclear strike capability to the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, using the Rafale fighter jets + air-launched supersonic missiles + nuclear warheads to achieve tactical nuclear strikes.

The French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was on high alert while passing through the Red Sea

In addition to the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier conducting air-based nuclear strike missions, the French Air and Space Force also announced that the French air-based strategic forces consist of A-330 MRTT aerial refueling tankers + Rafale B dual-seat multi-role fighters + ASMPA-R supersonic missiles + nuclear warheads. When developing the Rafale fighter jets, France considered various tasks including air-to-air, air-to-ground, air-to-sea, reconnaissance, bombing, and carrier takeoff and landing, even the ability to deploy nuclear missiles. Now, there are two Rafale squadrons in the French Air and Space Force that are responsible for nuclear strike missions, mainly launching ASMPA-R air-launched nuclear missiles. After the war, the main targets for the French Air Force and Navy's strategic nuclear retaliation were Moscow and St. Petersburg, perhaps also London. The Rafale fighter jets deploying nuclear missiles would suffice. Now, they are going to Asia, the South China Sea, and the East China Sea to show off their power.

The French Air Force Mirage IV strategic bomber

Not only did the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier face a confrontation with more than 40 Chinese navy warships in the South China Sea, but it also encountered the Chinese Navy's Shandong aircraft carrier for the first time. Even the French Navy admiral claimed, "We are ready for combat!" The French military emphasized that the respect received by the French Navy's aircraft carrier group was to highlight their status and presence. The French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier operating in the Asia-Pacific was meticulously planned, with various forms of publicity and hype. Even after the voyage, they continued to hype up the tense situations they encountered around the world, with clear intentions to find their sense of existence.

The French Rafale fighter jet currently undertakes nuclear strike missions

According to the French statement on July 20, the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was uneasy throughout the journey, feeling like they were seeking trouble. In addition to being denied docking at the Ryukyu Islands by Japan, the French Navy faced a blockade by over 40 Chinese warships in the South China Sea, and encountered the Shandong aircraft carrier battle group. Also, near Syria in the Mediterranean, the Russian aerospace force's Su-35 fighter jets flew at very low altitudes over the aircraft carrier deck. When passing through the Red Sea, the French Navy kept the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in a constant state of tension. According to the French statement, "The French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier's passage through the Suez Canal, Red Sea, and Hormuz Strait will surely stand out, whether it is going out or returning."

"During the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier's passage, the Houthi rebels' anti-ship and ship-attacking actions did not stop, but the French Navy's aircraft carrier and its escort ships did not become targets. However, due to changes in the geopolitical situation between the outbound and return journeys, the risks on the return trip were much greater," said a French Navy officer: "Between the first passage and the return of the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, the geopolitical situation changed: the United States bombed the Houthi rebel positions during this period. Therefore, the situation became more tense. The French Navy was worried that the Houthi rebels might mistake the French Navy's aircraft carrier for an American Navy aircraft carrier."

Japan, Russia, and China gave no face to the French Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier

A senior French Navy officer said: "It's different for the French Navy's Alsace frigate." "This French Navy frigate, as part of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier's escort, was required to contribute to protecting the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier during the return journey. It is reported that it may have shot down two Houthi rebel drones. When returning to Toulon, a local ship observer noticed that the 76mm main gun on the French Navy's Alsace frigate had two drone reward markers. Although the French media reported one interception, the details of the second interception of Houthi rebel drones are unclear."

The French Navy was humiliated, the most severe being that in the South China Sea, they saw 40 Chinese warships and the Shandong aircraft carrier battle group

This fleet, designated "Clemenceau-25," was not a spontaneous deployment from the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean to the Pacific. The French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier coming to the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific was purely for show, demonstrating commitments to French allies, creating French naval interests in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and appearing to be a major naval power, showcasing its presence. Moreover, the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier conducted dual-carrier training with the Indian Navy's Vikrant aircraft carrier, arrived in the South China Sea, and conducted joint exercises with the Philippine Navy and Air Force.

The French Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier's Rafale naval fighters had no effect when facing Russian Su-35 fighter jets flying over

France has always wanted to be the leader in Europe. Therefore, during the Ukraine war, it frequently called for sending troops to Ukraine. But after all that shouting, no French soldier was seen on the Ukrainian battlefield. President Macron also wanted to create an independent Europe, appearing to have a strong stance against Russia, but actually seeking to free itself from American control. Even trying to showcase French nuclear power in Japan, but Japan didn't accept it and remained determined to follow the United States. This voyage of the French Navy's aircraft carrier demonstrated France's ambition to dominate the world.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7529808755736134171/

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