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French Navy Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle in Dry Dock for Mid-Life Refit & Upgrade

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Naval Forces News - France
 
 
 
French Navy Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle in Dry Dock for Mid-Life Refit & Upgrade
 
Charles de Gaulle, the French Navy's (Marine Nationale) sole nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, entered a dry dock this week at Toulon naval base following 15 years of operational deployments during which it was involved in most of the international conflicts in which France took part (Afghanistan, Libya, Levant) and in particular three times since January 2015.
     
Charles de Gaulle mid life refitFrench nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle entering the dry dock for mid-life refit. French Navy picture.
     

This mid-life refit period is scheduled to last 18 months. Unprecedented in its scope and the number of works to be carried out, it will restore operational potential to the carrier for more than twenty years.

The French Navy's fleet support service, with the DGA (French procurement agency) are in charge of the control of the work while the overall project management was entrusted to DCNS. Its mission is to manage the work to be carried out during this overhaul in coordination with the sailors of Charles de Gaulle, who will contribute greatly.

Beyond the maintenance operations (scheduled checks of installations, refueling of nuclear fuel, etc.), this mid-life refit has a threefold objective:
- To modernize the combat system in order to maintain and increase interoperability with allied navies;
- The transition to a 100% Rafale airwring by optimizing the aviation installations and, finally,
- To modernize the capabilities of the aircraft carrier by renewing and upgrading its platform.

     
Charles de Gaulle mid life refit 2French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle entering the dry dock for mid-life refit. French Navy picture.