France to deploy aircraft carrier against Islamic State

France will deploy its Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Middle East in the autumn to participate in operations against Islamic State militants, President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday.

File photo show Rafale and Super Etendards fighter jets are parked prior to a mission aboard France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier sailing in the Gulf, January 28, 2016 Reuters

"The battle group, which includes the Charles de Gaulle, will again be deployed to operation Chammal... because we have to strike back at those who attacked us here in January and November 2015," Hollande said during a speech ahead of the French national day military parade on July 14.

"We have to strike back at and destroy those who attacked us here in January and November 2015," Hollande said.