To deter Turkey ... French Charles de Gaulle heads to eastern Mediterranean

According to the French newspaper "La Dépêche", the aircraft carrier, which is the largest piece in the French naval fleet, will carry between 18 to 24 Rafale fighters on its mission in the eastern Mediterranean tension zone.

The newspaper said, "France decided to strengthen its naval presence in the region, as it sent in mid-August two Rafale fighters and two naval ships, the helicopter carrier" Toner "and the frigate" La Fate ".

This will be the first operation for the French aircraft carrier after a disinfection operation, after a large part of its crew was infected with the emerging coronavirus.

In conjunction with this military presence, Greek media reported that Athens wanted to purchase 18 French Rafale fighters to enhance its air power, in light of the tension in the region with Turkey regarding the demarcation of the water borders, but the government did not confirm which model of the plane or the number it wanted.

The newspaper indicated that "France is likely to sell 10 Rafale fighters to Greece, to whom two will be added to the French air command, which will be delivered by the French Air Force to Greece, bringing the likely number to 12 Rafale fighters."

"There is another solution to provide the fighters that Greece wants, likely to provide a mixture between aircraft with the French Air Force, and 10 copies have been updated at the highest level, but this proposal is not strongly likely."

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed a few days ago that he had taken a strict stance regarding Turkey's actions in the eastern Mediterranean with the aim of setting red lines, explaining that "Ankara respects actions, not words."

Tensions have escalated between Turkey and France in the past few months with Paris' support for Greece, which is locked in a confrontation with Ankara over the rights to exploit potential oil and gas deposits in the region.

J.O