The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, France's largest warship, has been deployed to join operations in Syria and Iraq.
French warship deployed against ISIS
In September 2014, France joined the US-led coalition targeting IS in Iraq and began carrying out airstrikes, described by officials as an act of self-defence, after Islamic extremist gunmen killed 17 people in twin terror attacks in Paris early this year.
According to the AFP news agency, French jets have carried out 271 strikes in 1,285 aerial missions across Iraq since then.
The French have carried out only two airstrikes in Syria, successfully destroying a training camp in the eastern town of Deir al-Zour in September 2015.
The Charles de Gaulle ship, which was stationed in the Gulf from February to April, can hold up to 40 aircraft and support 100 flights a day, reducing the time it takes for French jets to carry out air strikes against Islamic State militants.
According to Reuters, the carrier is usually accompanied by several frigates, a refuelling ship and an attack submarine.
The French President, Francois Hollande, described the deployment as "a rational choice" which would "allow us to be more efficient in coordination with our allies".
Take a look at the Charles de Gaulle warship here.