French President Emmanuel Macron has officially confirmed plans to build a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to replace the ageing Charles de Gaulle, a massive €10.25 billion ($12B) program set to deliver a more modern warship by 2038.
Speaking to troops at a French base in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, President Macron greenlit the Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PANG) program. According to a Reuters report, the new carrier is slated to become operational in 2038, coinciding with the retirement of France’s current flagship, the Charles de Gaulle. Work on its nuclear propulsion components reportedly began last year.
The scale of the new vessel represents a monumental leap. Citing a detailed report by defense outlet Naval News, the PANG will displace 78,000 tons—nearly double the 42,000-ton displacement of the Charles de Gaulle. It will measure 310 meters in length and feature a three-track Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), a technology procured from the United States to meet schedule and cost targets, as noted by French military officials.
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This shift to electromagnetic catapults, replacing the older steam systems, is a key part of the modernization drive. Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert speaking to the Global Times, analyzed that the new carrier appears designed to solve the propulsion issues that have long plagued its predecessor. “The current French carrier’s nuclear propulsion system’s limited power output restricts the carrier’s size and speed, and this will likely be improved for the new carrier,” he stated.
The program is not just a military endeavor but an industrial one. President Macron emphasized that the project would significantly boost France’s industrial base, particularly small and medium-sized businesses. However, the reliance on American EMALS technology highlights the challenges of achieving full technological sovereignty within budget and time constraints. Armed forces chief Fabien Mandon stated last October that domestic production was not “compatible with our schedule and cost control,” Reuters reported.
The planned air wing underscores a blend of current and future capabilities. The carrier is tailored for 30 next-generation fighter jets or unmanned combat vehicles, supported by E-2D Hawkeye early-warning aircraft and helicopters. Interestingly, Wang Yunfei pointed out that the expected primary fighter, an upgraded Rafale M, may not be considered cutting-edge by the 2038 service date but would still meet the French Navy’s operational needs. The timeline is extensive: assembly at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard is set for 2032, with transfer to Toulon for outfitting in 2035 and sea trials beginning in 2036.
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Once commissioned, the PANG is projected to cement France’s naval standing. Wang Yunfei suggested it would make the French Navy the world’s third most powerful aircraft carrier operator, behind the U.S. and China but ahead of the UK. The project confirms that the aircraft carrier remains a premier strategic asset, exclusive to major powers willing to invest decades and billions into sustaining a credible, global blue-water force.
