Maintaining and supporting an aircraft carrier: The French Navy's Charles de Gaulle

In this exclusive interview conducted ahead of Support Ships 2020, Rear Admiral Jean-Mathieu Rey, Deputy Commander of the Support Service of the Fleet, French Navy discusses the Charles de Gaulles's recent maintenance and mid-life upgrade, the French Navy’s approach to designing support ships for an aircraft carrier, and preparing for carrier strike group deployments.

The French Navy has just completed an 18-month maintenance and mid-life upgrade period for its only aircraft carrier, which saw the digitization of the carrier’s networks, the replacement of the control room and the modernization of her telecommunication systems. This comes at a time where several major navies around the World are embarking on major procurement and capability enhancement programmes as they seek to build or maintain their carrier strike power.

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Benefits of downloading the interview:

• Gain insider insight into the key takeaways from the maintenance of the Charles de Gaulle carrier, from representatives of the French Navy who will be present at Support Ships
• Lean more about the capability needs for the FLOTLOG support ships, from representatives of the French Navy who will be present at Support Ships
• Hear more on the key priorities for fleet support deployments from representatives of the French Navy who will be present at Support Ships

In this interview, Rear Admiral Rey answers the following questions:

• Could you talk us through the French Navy’s approach in designing support ships for an aircraft carrier? What main lessons have been learned from conducting such an enterprise?
• The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier has just undergone an 18-month carrier maintenance period, which saw the digitization of the networks, the replacement of the control room and the modernization of the telecommunication systems. What were the implications of these maintenance works for the carrier’s support fleet, and how is the French Navy planning to integrate the new carrier systems with the existing support ships’?
• Could you share the main key takeaways from this maintenance phase? What would you advise to anyone starting similar works?
• As the French Navy looks to procure a new aircraft carrier, could you talk us through the thought process of creating requirements for the support fleet? Where do you see cutting-edge technologies and systems fit in them?
• The UK is preparing for its first operational deployment of the new Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers in 2021. What were your key priorities as Chief of Staff of the French Carrier Strike Group relating to fleet support?

At Support Ships 2020, Rear Admiral Rey will share insight on the French Navy’s approach to predictive maintenance and support for carriers. To view who will join him on the panel of expert speakers, you can download the agenda here.