French President Emmanuel Macron has approved the proposal to replace the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle (CDG) aircraft carrier. CDG, the only nuclear-powered carrier outside the US Navy, entered service in 2001.
“In line with the last two military programming laws, and after a thorough and comprehensive review, I have decided to equip France with a new aircraft carrier,” Macron said, speaking during a visit to French troops in the United Arab Emirates.
The decision to give the final go-ahead was made this week, he added.
“In an age of predators, we must be strong in order to be feared,” Macron said.
France first launched studies into replacing the Charles de Gaulle in 2018, with preliminary work beginning two years later.
The nuclear-powered carrier is expected to be far larger than CDG. It will displace nearly 80,000 tons and be around 310 metres long, compared with 42,000 tons and 261 metres for the Charles de Gaulle. With a crew of 2,000, it could accommodate 30 fighter jets.
PANG (Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération)
The announcement comes at a time when China has begun sea trials of its new conventional supercarrier Fujian, which displaces around 80,000 tons. Unlike the Fujian, which runs on conventional fuel, the future French carrier will be nuclear-powered – just like the current Charles de Gaulle and all U.S. Navy carriers.
Nuclear propulsion gives these ships far greater endurance, allowing them to stay at sea for extended periods without refueling.
The PANG program was initiated with preliminary studies in October 2018, followed by extensive risk-reduction and innovation work from 2021 to 2023, plus preliminary design studies during the same period.
The construction could run from 2026 to 2036, with major milestones including a preliminary design review in late 2028, a critical design review in late 2029, and first sea trials in late 2035 or early 2036.
Delivery could be targeted for late 2036 or early 2037, with full commissioning expected in late 2037 or early 2038.
The new carrier will be a massive leap over its predecessor. With a displacement of around 80,000 tons, it will be one of the largest warships in Europe.
Power will come from two advanced K22 nuclear reactors developed by TechnicAtome, each producing 220–230 megawatts and driving three shafts. Refueling will be needed only once every ten years, giving the ship almost unlimited range limited mainly by crew provisions.
The flight deck will feature two or three electromagnetic catapults (EMALS), enabling rapid and flexible aircraft launches. The air wing is planned to include around 30–40 next-generation fighters (likely Rafale-M or future FCAS aircraft), three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AWACS aircraft, and a complement of unmanned systems.
Nuclear propulsion brings clear advantages: vastly longer time on station, higher sustained speeds (up to 27–30 knots), and more electrical power for advanced systems like EMALS and future directed-energy weapons.
Meanwhile, interest in French nuclear carrier technology has grown beyond Europe. Former Indian Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash has publicly advocated for India to partner with France on a nuclear-powered carrier, potentially sharing costs and expertise to support India’s future fleet ambitions.
With plans on track, France is firmly on track to maintain its status as the only European nation operating nuclear-powered aircraft carriers well into the second half of the century.
By AFP and ET Online Desk
