Yesterday, Pres Trump posted on Truth Social:
Today, the French Navy Chief is speaking and saying:
- Number of Chinese vessels going through the Strait of Hormuz not enough to restore normal traffic flows
- China will probably need to engage more directly in the debate and show its impatience on closure of Strait of Hormuz.
- France’s trying to bring several countries together at political level to determine conditions under which the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened in a lasting way.
- Military would ultimately be needed to monitor Hormuz reopening.
- No evidence at this stage that Strait of Hormuz has been mined
French Navy — Current Forces
The Marine Nationale fields a well-rounded modern fleet centered on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, the only one of its kind outside the US, carrying Rafale M fighters and E-2C Hawkeye aircraft. Its surface fleet includes FREMM multi-mission frigates, La Fayette-class stealth frigates, and Mistral-class amphibious assault ships. Underwater, France operates Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarines (keeping at least one on patrol at all times for nuclear deterrence) alongside the newer Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines, which are gradually replacing the aging Rubis class.
With one of the world’s largest Exclusive Economic Zones, the navy maintains permanent deployments across the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Caribbean. It also actively participates in NATO operations and EU maritime missions. On the horizon, the FDI frigates are entering service to bolster the surface fleet, and a next-generation carrier (PANG) is in development to replace the Charles de Gaulle around 2038.
