The early-career tally credits Charles de Gaulle with twelve circuits of the world, 900 days at sea, and 19,000 catapult launches before its 2007 refit. Its ability to operate a Hawkeye adds airborne early warning to the contribution it can make to NATO and other allied operations. Even the United States cannot keep enough large assets ready to cover every disruption. A French deployment that meets the required standards can fill a gap in an American schedule. Such practical cover gives France a useful contribution to offer its partners.
Notable Point · 40:10-41:41
Early operating experience and covering allied carrier gaps
The carrier's operating record before its first refit and its airborne early-warning capability help explain why allies could use a French deployment to cover gaps in their own schedules.