NATO forces are training with French Carrier Strike Group.

North Sea, Denmark - French carrier strike group and its flagship, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, trained with the Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) for four days last week.

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle sails with Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) warships off the east coast of Denmark on 22 March 2020 (Picture source: French Navy)

Their combined exercises ran between 19-22 March bringing together warships from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom on the east coast of Denmark.

Naval exercises involving a large number of ships from various countries are complex and challenging. Regular training and exercises among NATO-forces and Allied nations are therefore important to enhance Alliance’s ability of naval warfighting and to maintain high readiness.

The ability to train and develop our procedures, communication and interaction is ultimately what tie us together as allied forces

“The interaction with the French carrier strike group provides valuable opportunities for both the carrier strike group and us. The ability to train and develop our procedures, communication and interaction is ultimately what tie us together as allied forces. It enhances our readiness and our ability to fight war. Obviously it also enhances the cohesion within the Alliance. Together NATO allies constitute a powerful naval force," said Commodore Yngve Skoglund, Commander of SNMG1.

The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its strike group left France in January for operations in the Mediterranean Sea. The group has now deployed to the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.