Report: France to Deploy Aircraft Carrier to Gulf in IS Fight

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its fleet will be deployed to the Gulf to support operations against the Islamic State group, a military news site reported on Tuesday.

The deployment of the marine battle group is due to be announced by President Francois Hollande when he gives his annual new year's speech to the armed forces onboard the Charles de Gaulle on January 14, according to the "Mer et Marine" news site.

According to Mer et Marine, the Charles de Gaulle carrier will travel to the Gulf with its fleet of air and naval craft, including Rafale and Super Etendard fighter jets and an attack submarine, to take part in the U.S.-led bombing campaign against IS forces in Iraq. 

France currently has nine Rafale fighters engaged in the campaign -- based in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan -- as part of Operation Chammal launched in September, along with a C135 supply plane, E-3F surveillance and control plane and an Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft.

The president's office, navy and army did not respond to requests from Agence France-Presse for confirmation.