The French Ministry of Armed Forces announced on Friday, February 20, 2026, that the Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group (CSG) started an operational deployment to the North Atlantic as part of the mission “LA FAYETTE 26”.
The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort departed from its home port of Toulon on January 27 to participate in France’s large scale “Orion 26” military exercise.
In a release issued Friday, the French Ministry of Armed Forces explains:
The Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is now deployed as part of mission LA FAYETTE 26, during which it will operate primarily in the North Atlantic. Under the command of Rear Admiral Thibault de Possesse, this mission pursues four objectives:
- To contribute to NATO’s defensive and deterrent posture in Europe alongside our allies;
- To secure Europe’s borders and participate in national and international operations to strengthen maritime security in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean;
- To develop interoperability with our partners and allies;
- To promote a free, open, and stable maritime space for the benefit of our populations, our interests, and those of our partners, within the framework of international law. The CSG, through its presence, contributes to the stabilization of these areas of competition and conflict.
This mission comes at a time of increased Russian maritime activity in the area and shifting U.S. interests in the Arctic.
According to the French military, the mission is named LA FAYETTE 26 to highlight three symbols:
- The memory of the eponymous aircraft carrier in service with the French Navy from 1951 to 1963;
- France’s special connection with the wider Atlantic region;
- France’s demonstration of a capability dear to the Marquis de Lafayette: to demonstrate tactical audacity while pursuing long-term strategic objectives.
Participation to several NATO exercises
During its time in Northern Europe, the Charles de Gaulle CSG is set to participate in several NATO exercises or missions:
- Steadfast Dart: An annual exercise to practise rapid deployment and supply of the Allied Reaction Force through Europe.
- Baltic Sentry: Baltic Sentry strengthens the protection of critical undersea infrastructure by deploying a range of assets, including frigates, maritime patrol aircraft and a small fleet of naval drones.
- Neptune Strike: A multi-domain exercise testing NATO’s ability to integrate high-end maritime strike capabilities.
- Cold Response: A Norwegian-led multi-national exercise focused on cold-weather combat and defense.
Historic French aircraft carrier port call in Sweden
The French CSG will conduct a historic stopover in the Swedish port of Malmö on February 25. According to the Swedish Armed Forces, this marks the first time the French flagship will dock in the city, signaling strengthening defense ties between France and the newest members of NATO.
“The ship’s docking in Sweden demonstrates well-functioning cooperation, strengthens our operational capabilities and the collective defense of Europe” the Swedish Armed Forces said in an official release, adding that the visit is taking place within the framework of NATO’s regular exercise activities.
France’s latest frigate, Amiral Ronarc’h (first of the new FDI frigates) recently called in Gothenburg.
