French aircraft carrier set to defend Britain breaks down
The flagship French aircraft carrier which is set to play a key role in defending Britain over the next decade has broken down.
As President Nicolas Sarkozy prepares to use a historic London summit to announce the use of RAF jets off the Charles de Gaulle, his naval chiefs have told him she is no longer seaworthy.
"She's meant to be heading to Afghanistan to support the war there but is instead in home port with a faulty propulsion system," said a French Navy source.
"This is a carrier which is meant to be defending not only France but also Britain over the next decade. As far as the London summit is concerned, her breaking down could not come at a worse time."
Following Britain's strategic defence review last week, it looks certain that the UK and France will each have just one operational aircraft carrier each towards the end of the decade.
But Britain will have to rely solely on the Charles de Gaulle until at least 2020 while the Queen Elizabeth, a new carrier, is being built.
This follows the announcement of the scrapping of the carrier Ark Royal and its Harrier Jump Jets.
In the meantime, the Charles de Gaulle will be reconfigured to carry British planes, including the new Joint Strike Fighter jets.
But the French carrier's captain, Hugues du Plessis d'Argentré, confirmed that the 16-year-old vessel was not as efficient as she used to be, despite a three year refit.
He said "common sense" had forced him to temporarily abandon his latest mission to Afghanistan.
His ship's nuclear reactor would have to be given time to "cool down" before vital repairs were carried out, said Captain Du Plessis d'Argentré.
He added: "We're looking at between three, four, five weeks," suggesting that it might even be Christmas before the carrier could resume its mission.
full article here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8098896/French-aircraft-carrier-set-to-defend-Britain-breaks-down.html
Ollie, see what you can build with your lego son!
Did you also know...
Athens marathon marks anniversary of legendary run
More than 12,500 people ran the same route as Pheidippides this Sunday. It is a tough race - the first 32km of the course are mostly uphill. Legend has it that Pheidippides collapsed and died from exhaustion and dehydration after his run.
Fact of the Day
Age-otori is a Japanese word meaning 'looking less attractive after a hair-do'
"This is a carrier which is meant to be defending not only France but also Britain over the next decade. As far as the London summit is concerned, her breaking down could not come at a worse time."
Following Britain's strategic defence review last week, it looks certain that the UK and France will each have just one operational aircraft carrier each towards the end of the decade.
But Britain will have to rely solely on the Charles de Gaulle until at least 2020 while the Queen Elizabeth, a new carrier, is being built.
This follows the announcement of the scrapping of the carrier Ark Royal and its Harrier Jump Jets.
In the meantime, the Charles de Gaulle will be reconfigured to carry British planes, including the new Joint Strike Fighter jets.
But the French carrier's captain, Hugues du Plessis d'Argentré, confirmed that the 16-year-old vessel was not as efficient as she used to be, despite a three year refit.
He said "common sense" had forced him to temporarily abandon his latest mission to Afghanistan.
His ship's nuclear reactor would have to be given time to "cool down" before vital repairs were carried out, said Captain Du Plessis d'Argentré.
He added: "We're looking at between three, four, five weeks," suggesting that it might even be Christmas before the carrier could resume its mission.
full article here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8098896/French-aircraft-carrier-set-to-defend-Britain-breaks-down.html
Ollie, see what you can build with your lego son!
Did you also know...
Athens marathon marks anniversary of legendary run
A record number of people have taken part in the Athens marathon to mark the 2,500th anniversary of the run which inspired the modern event.
In 490BC, the Athenian army defeated the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. According to legend, a messenger called Pheidippides ran the 42km (26 miles) to Athens to announce the victory.More than 12,500 people ran the same route as Pheidippides this Sunday. It is a tough race - the first 32km of the course are mostly uphill. Legend has it that Pheidippides collapsed and died from exhaustion and dehydration after his run.
Fact of the Day
Age-otori is a Japanese word meaning 'looking less attractive after a hair-do'
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