French carriers and strategic independence

Interwar treaty limits left France at naval parity with Italy and dependent on Britain for protection of wider imperial interests. That dependence became more dangerous as Fascist Italy emerged as both a treaty equal and a historic French rival. A carrier combined with the fast, well-protected Dunkerque class would not let France defeat Japan alone, but could raise the cost of aggression and project credible French power abroad. The force could signal that France remained able to act beyond the Mediterranean rather than rely entirely on British priorities. The example distinguishes alliance cooperation from the independent capability to defend interests an ally may not share or have resources to cover.