French bases in metropolitan France and North Africa could support land-based aviation in the Mediterranean, but that did not solve every naval mission. A mobile flight deck still mattered when operations moved beyond the reach of those bases or required air power to accompany a fleet. France also needed to counter German commerce raiding and might have supported Britain against Japan in the Far East. The same ship was therefore expected to contribute against European rivals, protect maritime communications, and reinforce an Asian coalition. Joffre was designed for a navy whose commitments stretched well beyond its most immediate theatre.
Chapter · 12:17-13:15
One carrier was expected to cover several strategic problems
Joffre was intended to supplement land-based Mediterranean air power while also answering German raiding and Far Eastern commitments.