US Navy’s newest aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford set to deploy, train with Nato nations
- The US Navy is deploying a new first-in-class supercarrier for the first time in over four decades
- The US$13 billon Gerald R. Ford is the first of America’s new Ford class of aircraft carriers
Following years of delays and problems with its new technology, the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier embarks on its first deployment next week and will train with other Nato countries at a time of increasing Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The USS Gerald R. Ford leaves the world’s largest navy base in Norfolk, Virginia, Monday along with destroyers and other warships, the US Navy said in a statement Thursday.
The carrier strike group will join ships in the Atlantic Ocean from countries that include France, Germany and Sweden for various exercises, including anti-submarine warfare.
“The Atlantic is an area of strategic interest,” Vice-Admiral Daniel Dwyer said in a statement. “Our primary goal is to contribute to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region through the combined naval power of our Allies and partners.”
Next week’s exercises come seven months after Russia invaded Ukraine. Western countries, including the US, have provided weapons to Ukraine, increasing tensions with the Kremlin.
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to send more troops into battle and potentially use nuclear weapons to ward off Ukraine’s attempt to reclaim control of Moscow-occupied areas.