Force d'Action Navale

Naval Action Force Force d'action navale
Active	unknown - present
Country	France
Branch	French Navy
Garrison/HQ	Toulon

The Force d'action navale (FAN, Naval Action Force) is the 12,000-man and about 100-ship strong backbone of the French Navy. As of 2006, it is commanded by Vice-Amiral d’Escadre Philippe Sautter.

The ships are divided into seven categories:

The aeronaval group is the main French Navy power projection force. It is also one of the components of the nuclear deterrence forces, since the embarked Super Étendard and Rafale planes have nuclear capabilities.

At minimum, it contains an aircraft carrier (currently Charles de Gaulle), an anti-air frigate, and a support vessel. Typically, this group also includes several anti-air and anti-submarine frigates, nuclear attack submarine (Rubis-class submarine and the future Barracuda-class submarines), and possibly additional support ships.

The carrier air group can include up to 40 aircraft: Rafale, Super Étendard and E-2 Hawkeye planes; NH-90 Caïman Marine, AS365 Dauphin and AS565 Panther for the helicopters. This composition varies according to the mission and the tactical environment, and can include aircraft of the ALAT (Army) or the Armée de l'Air (Air Force).

Like any naval force, the aeronaval group can be assisted by land-based Breguet Atlantique aircraft.

Clemenceau formed the core of the French Navy's battle force for many years.

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Wikipedia