Europe: France launches next-generation aircraft carrier program
The launch of the French next-generation aircraft carrier program marks a major step for naval power projection in France. Announced on 21 December by President Emmanuel Macron in Abu Dhabi, the PA-NG (Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération) is designed to replace the aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle and is expected to enter service in 2038. With a displacement close to 80,000 tonnes and nuclear propulsion, the vessel is intended to ensure long-term maritime deterrence and sustained power projection from the high seas, reinforcing France’s role as a leading naval power.
A nuclear-powered carrier built for future air combat
Launched in 2018, the PA-NG will be significantly larger than its predecessor, reaching around 310 meters in length and capable of speeds up to 27 knots. It will host a crew of approximately 2,000 sailors and embark around 30 combat aircraft. The air wing will include Rafale Marine F5 fighters, early-warning aircraft, helicopters, and multiple types of drones, including surveillance, refuelling, and combat UAVs. Equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS), the carrier will be able to launch aircraft weighing up to 40 tonnes, offering greater operational flexibility compared to steam-based systems.
Industrial scale, strategic rationale, and emerging threats
Construction will take place at Saint-Nazaire and involve Naval Group, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and the CEA, mobilising around 800 companies and generating an estimated 14,000 jobs nationwide. The total cost is projected at approximately €10.2 billion. Strategically, French authorities underline the need to adapt naval capabilities to evolving threats, particularly in a context of global aircraft carrier proliferation and rising tensions with Russia. While some analysts question the relevance of such a platform in a high-intensity continental conflict, others argue the PA-NG is essential for protecting France’s vast maritime zones and maintaining long-term naval superiority.
