From Concept to Commitment

President Emmanuel Macron on December 21, 2025 formally launched the construction phase of France’s next-generation aircraft carrier, the Porte-avions de nouvelle génération (PA-NG), marking a decisive transition from planning to execution.

The announcement, made during a visit to Abu Dhabi, authorizes full-scale construction of a vessel intended to replace the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle when it retires around 2038.

The decision anchors a program first initiated by Macron in December 2020 and reflects a long-term commitment to sustaining France’s carrier-based air power.

The PA-NG is designed to be substantially larger than its predecessor.

Current specifications call for a hull approximately 300–310 meters long, with a flight deck about 80 meters wide and a displacement of roughly 75,000–77,700 tons.

By comparison, Charles de Gaulle displaces about 42,000 tons. The increase in size is intended to support a larger and more flexible air wing, higher sortie rates, and expanded margins for future systems integration.

Nuclear Power and Air Wing Scale

Propulsion will be provided by two nuclear reactors of the K22 type, each rated at about 220 megawatts.

These reactors are derived from the K15 units used on Charles de Gaulle but are upgraded to meet the higher electrical and propulsion demands of the new carrier.

Nuclear propulsion allows sustained high-speed operations and reduces dependence on conventional fuel supply chains.

The carrier will employ the U.S.-sourced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) with three catapults, paired with advanced arresting gear.

This configuration enables the launch and recovery of heavier aircraft and supports a broader mix of platforms.

The planned air wing comprises roughly 30–40 aircraft, initially including Rafale M fighters and later transitioning to the New Generation Fighter developed under the FCAS/SCAF program.

The design also accommodates E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft, drones or uncrewed combat aerial vehicles, and helicopters.

Total crew, including the air group, is projected at around 2,000 personnel.

Timeline, Industry, and Strategic Rationale

While Macron described the decision as a construction launch, key industrial milestones remain ahead.

Long-lead components, including nuclear reactor elements, began procurement in 2024. Hull assembly is expected between 2031 and 2034 at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, with sea trials planned around 2036 and commissioning targeted for 2038.

Cost estimates frequently cited for the program are on the order of €10 billion, with final figures dependent on contracts and execution.

Strategically, the PA-NG ensures France retains an independent aircraft carrier capability and remains the only European country, aside from the United States, to operate a nuclear-powered CATOBAR carrier.

The program underlines France’s intent to preserve long-range power projection, sustained naval aviation operations, and autonomy in high-end maritime warfare as competition among carrier-operating states intensifies.