President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that France will build a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PA-NG), strengthening naval power despite tight public finances.
Announced during a visit to French troops in Abu Dhabi, the decision was taken this week under existing military planning laws. Macron said France must remain strong at sea in an increasingly dangerous global environment. Scheduled for delivery in 2038, the PA-NG will replace the Charles de Gaulle, which has been in service since 2001. The ship will displace about 78,000 tonnes, measure 310 metres, and carry around 30 Rafale M fighter jets, making it Europe’s largest warship.
It will be nuclear-powered and equipped with two or three electromagnetic launch systems for faster aircraft deployment. The programme is expected to cost just over €10 billion and involve around 800 suppliers, most of them small and medium-sized firms. The announcement comes alongside Macron’s pledge to boost defence spending to €64 billion by 2027, despite calls from some lawmakers to delay the project.
France’s Charles de Gaulle carrier
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