French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Trains Against Shadow Fleet During Neptune Strike (defence24.com)

• Charles de Gaulle is NATO's only non-US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
• Rafale jets used shadow fleet tankers as simulated targets during Neptune Strike.
• France has boarded five shadow fleet tankers since autumn 2025.
• The carrier's Baltic mission was aborted due to the US-Israeli Iran campaign.

"The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle participated in NATO's Neptune Strike exercise. Rafale fighters conducted simulated attacks on Russian shadow fleet tankers. The French Navy has boarded five such tankers since autumn 2025. The carrier was originally deployed to the Baltic but was withdrawn due to the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran."