On July 20, 2025, local time, French media first revealed some details about the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier battle group heading to the Asia-Pacific region to conduct "Clemenceau-25" exercises. On the 21st, the French side again disclosed some interesting incidents 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 its "non-nuclear principle." The French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier refused to clarify whether its carrier and Rafale naval aircraft are carrying nuclear warheads, leading to being 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 the French Navy, given the long journey of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and the prolonged combat readiness period, if it actually had nuclear warheads, the maintenance time might be too long. Since it is visiting many countries, including the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and East China Sea, the countries visited include Egypt, UAE, India, Indonesia, Philippines, etc. If the nuclear weapons on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier were to have an accident and explode, it would cause a disaster in the country where it is located. 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 themselves, so they ignored Japan's request and chose not to dock at the Ryukyu Islands. The US Navy has clearly stated that it does not carry nuclear weapons, which is stipulated by the START treaty. Both US and Russian aircraft carriers have treaties specifying that they do not carry nuclear weapons.

France is the only country with 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 aircraft, core equipment of the French nuclear deterrence system. For a long time, it was one of the three pillars of the French nuclear triad. The bombing version was retired in 1996, and the reconnaissance version was retired in 2005), the French air-based nuclear strike force has relied on the Mirage 2000 fighter jets and Rafale fighter jets. France expanded its air-based nuclear strike capability to the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, using the Rafale fighter jet + air-launched supersonic missile + nuclear warhead to achieve nuclear tactical strikes.

Except for 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 force consists of A-330 MRTT aerial refueling aircraft + Rafale B two-seat multi-role fighter jets + ASMPA-R supersonic missiles + nuclear warheads. When developing the Rafale fighter jet, France considered various tasks such as air-to-air, air-to-ground, air-to-sea, reconnaissance, bombing, and aircraft carrier takeoff and landing, even capable of launching nuclear missiles. Now, there are two Rafale squadrons in the French Air and Space Force that are responsible for nuclear strike missions, mainly launching the 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, and the Rafale fighter jet launching nuclear missiles would be sufficient. Now, going to Asia, the South China Sea, and the East China Sea, showing off power. Not only in the South China Sea, directly surrounded by more than 40 Chinese naval warships, but also encountering the Chinese Navy's Shandong aircraft carrier for the first time. Even the French Navy admiral claimed: "We are ready for combat!" The French officer corps also emphasized that the respect received by the French Navy's aircraft carrier battle group is to highlight their status and presence. The French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier executing missions in the Asia-Pacific region is carefully planned, with various promotions and hype. Even after completing the voyage, it continues to hype about the tense situations it has encountered around the world. The purpose is very clear, which is to find a sense of presence.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838331666420810/

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