New Nuclear Aircraft Carrier for France Order Confirmed for 2025.

According to information published by TF1 on October 15, 2024, the long-awaited replacement for France's flagship aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is taking shape as the French Ministry of Armed Forces prepares to place the order in 2025.
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Artist rendering of the future new generation aircraft carrier or PANG. (Picture source: French MoD)

The next-generation nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, expected to cost at least €10 billion, is set to become the largest warship ever built in Europe.

Announced during a recent parliamentary defense committee hearing, Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that 2025 would mark the official order for the new vessel, known as the Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PANG). This major project, in the works for years, will be spearheaded by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, with construction planned to begin in 2026 and completion projected for 2038.

With a length of 305 meters and a width of nearly 80 meters, the PANG will dwarf its predecessor, the Charles de Gaulle, which entered service in 2001. It will be capable of carrying around 40 aircraft, including future Rafale Marine jets, E-2D Hawkeye radar planes, and various drones. The vessel’s nuclear propulsion system, although 15-20% more expensive than conventional alternatives, will enable extended deployments at sea, enhancing France's strategic autonomy.

Staffing for the PANG is already underway, with approximately 2,000 personnel expected to be stationed aboard. The complexity of nuclear-powered vessels requires extensive training, with specialists undergoing up to 15 years of preparation for key roles.

This new carrier is seen as essential to maintaining France's global military influence and strengthening its role within NATO. By 2030, the number of aircraft carriers worldwide is expected to rise from 19 to 27, driven by growing investments from nations like China and India.

The current French aircraft carrier fleet is primarily centered around its sole nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle (R91). Commissioned in 2001, the Charles de Gaulle is a key asset in France’s naval power projection. It is the only nuclear-powered carrier completed outside of the U.S. and can carry between 30 and 40 aircraft, including the Dassault Rafale M fighters and E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft. The vessel also supports a variety of helicopters, including the NH90 NFH Caïman Marine and AS565 Panther, used for combat search and rescue missions.

The Charles de Gaulle is part of the French Navy’s carrier strike group (CSG), which includes several frigates, submarines, and support vessels that provide protection and logistical support during operations. The ship has been actively involved in various missions, including deployments under NATO command, as well as multinational exercises like Polaris and Mare Aperto in 2024, where it participated in combat drills alongside other carriers such as the Italian ITS Cavour.