Flottilles 11F, 12F, and 17F operate Rafales, while 4F operates the E-2C Hawkeye. A typical deployment takes two Rafale squadrons aboard, about thirty fighters, and leaves the third ashore. That rotation helps sustain the air group despite having only one carrier hull. France also has three Mistral amphibious ships, which usually allow one aviation-capable ship of that type to be available. Their amphibious and helicopter roles provide a different capability from the strike and fixed-wing aviation of Charles de Gaulle.
Notable Point · 51:53-53:12
Using three Rafale squadrons to sustain one carrier
France sustains Charles de Gaulle's typical Rafale air group by rotating two deployed squadrons against a third ashore, an important adaptation to operating only one fleet carrier.