Satellite images taken on April 9, 2026, show a large naval vessel accompanied by other ships in the eastern Mediterranean southwest of Cyprus near coordinates 34.229, 31.942, at a time of rising regional military tensions.
After analyzing the object’s position, approximate size, shape, and known movement patterns during March, Misbar’s team assessed that the vessel corresponds to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The assessment aligns with earlier indicators of French naval redeployment in the Mediterranean as part of a broader force posture in the eastern basin.
The observation links recent satellite imagery with a deployment that began in the North Atlantic, continued through the Strait of Gibraltar, and later placed the carrier in the western Mediterranean before its reported movement eastward.
The development comes amid heightened regional tensions following a reported Iranian-made drone strike on Britain’s Akrotiri Air Base in Cyprus, an incident that highlighted expanding security risks in the eastern Mediterranean.
Charles de Gaulle Spotted Near Cyprus in Satellite Images
Misbar’s team at Al Araby TV identified the location of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Mediterranean using satellite imagery from Sentinel Hub. The carrier was tracked approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Cyprus, near coordinates 34.229, 31.942.
Satellite images taken on Thursday, April 9, also showed the aircraft carrier and a vessel from its strike group deployed as part of a defensive mission in the Mediterranean.
Moreover, satellite imagery analysis tools allow for approximate measurements of objects visible in the images. Using these tools, the team measured the vessel in the April 9 image at about 261 meters in length and roughly 64 meters in width, consistent with the known dimensions of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Moreover, the measurements closely match the vessel’s specifications, further supporting the identification.
Route of Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier
On March 1, the French president announced the redeployment of the aircraft carrier and its strike group in the Mediterranean amid tensions related to the war with Iran.
On March 6, the French Navy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) was observed transiting the Strait of Gibraltar en route to the Mediterranean Sea.
On March 7, Sentinel Hub satellite imagery captured the carrier sailing about 100 kilometers north of Algeria as it moved toward its deployment area in the Mediterranean, near coordinates 37.550, 2.802.
On March 13, Le Monde reported the carrier’s precise location in the Mediterranean after a crew member inadvertently shared workout data recorded on a smartwatch linked to the Strava fitness app, allowing the vessel’s position to be identified in near real time. The data placed the carrier northeast of Cyprus.
On March 27, the French Joint Staff posted on X confirming the strike group’s participation in the NATO “Neptune Strike” exercise, held from March 25 to April 1 across the Mediterranean as well as in Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland.
On March 30, Misbar’s team tracked the carrier and its strike group via satellite imagery southwest of Cyprus near coordinates 33.991, 32.073.
On April 9, satellite images showed the carrier accompanied by a vessel from its strike group about 70 kilometers southwest of the British Akrotiri Air Base in Cyprus, near coordinates 34.229, 31.942.
The carrier sailed an estimated 2,600 kilometers between March 7 and April 9, based on satellite tracking, indicating sustained activity in waters south of the Akrotiri British base as part of its defensive deployment amid regional tensions.
Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle: What We Know
Charles de Gaulle is a nuclear-powered CATOBAR aircraft carrier, measuring about 261 meters in length. It is powered by two K15 reactors, giving it effectively unlimited range and a top speed of around 27 knots. Its flight deck features an angled runway and two steam catapults for aircraft launch in a configuration similar to U.S. carriers.
According to French military data, the carrier typically operates with 20 Rafale M fighter jets, two E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft, and several helicopters, with a maximum air wing of roughly 30 to 40 aircraft depending on mission requirements.
The carrier’s armament is primarily defensive, including Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles, 20 mm cannons and electronic warfare systems. Offensive capability is provided mainly by its embarked Rafale jets, which can carry SCALP air-to-ground cruise missiles, Exocet anti-ship missiles and Meteor air-to-air missiles.
Since entering service in 2001, Charles de Gaulle has been deployed in many of France’s major military operations and crisis-response missions. Its operational footprint has been documented through naval tracking data, satellite imagery and defense reporting, spanning deployments from Afghanistan to the Sahel and the Mediterranean.
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