Charles de Gaulle can carry up to 40 aircraft total.
Normal Peace Time airwing:
10 x Rafael M
10 x Super Etendard Modernisés
02 x E-2C Hawkeye
02 x Dauphin ASW Helicopters
01 - Alouette Helicopter
02 x Caracel CSAR Helicopters
(In fact, this was the airwing that the Charles de Gaulle went out with for Operation “Bois Belleau” that they recently conducted with the USS Carl Vinson.)
I expect a full combat airwing in times of war for the Charles de Gaulle would be something like this:
18 x Rafael M
12 x Super Etendards
03 x E-2C Hawkeye
03 x Dauphin ASW Helicopter
02 x Caracel CSAR Helicopters
In peace time, the Charles de Gaulle normally travels escorted by one of the two Forbin (Horizon) class destroyers, one Georges Leygues class anti-submarine Frigate, a Rubis class SSN, and they are accompanied by Durance class replenishment vessel. I would expect that escort would be beefed up in wartime and would include maybe a couple of the new FREMM Class FFGs too.
Here's a photo-op picture by the French Navy showing a larger fixed airwing all on deck:
12 x Rafael M
14 x Super Etendard
02 x Hawkeye
02 x Dauphin ASW helicopters
...and popeye, I thought you would like this hanger shot of the Charles de Gaulle:
Many more pics available on my .
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