Cold Response: France withdraws nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

Rather than operating with NATO forces in the Norwegian Sea, the carrier strike group will reposition south to help protect allied forces in the region.

Speaking on French television Tuesday, President Emmanuel Macron said the decision was made in response to growing instability.

“Faced with this unstable situation and the uncertainties of the coming days, I have ordered the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, its air assets, and its frigate escort to head towards the Mediterranean,” Macron said.

The carrier, Charles de Gaulle — flagship of the French Navy — has a crew of approximately 1,800 personnel, including about 600 assigned to its air wing.

Exercise Adjustments

Norwegian officials said adjustments are being made to ensure the exercise can proceed effectively despite the changes.

“We are adapting so that the exercise effectiveness is not significantly impaired,” said Hanne Olafsen, spokesperson for the Norwegian Joint Headquarters, in an email to the The Barents Observer.

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Not all eyes are on the Middle East

In February, it was confirmed that the U.S. Air Force would also reduce its participation in Cold Response, withdrawing several fighter jets and around 150 personnel. The aircraft and troops were redeployed to the Middle East ahead of the attack on Iran.

Despite these changes, the United States will still deploy thousands of troops to the exercise, which begins March 9 in northern Norway and Finnish Lapland.

Olafsen noted that troop movements have already been underway for some time.

A key component of the exercise involves moving soldiers and military equipment across national borders — from the Ofoten and Troms regions in northern Norway into Finnish Lapland, as well as from northern Sweden into Finland — testing NATO’s ability to reinforce allied territory under challenging Arctic conditions.