France starts construction of Europe's largest aircraft carrier!

France starts construction of Europe's largest aircraft carrier!

France has officially confirmed plans to build a new, larger and more modern aircraft carrier. President Emmanuel Macron announced the decision on Sunday at a military base in Abu Dhabi. This step marks the continuation of a project that was already launched in 2020. The new aircraft carrier, named Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PANG), will replace the current Charles de Gaulle, which has been the French Navy's only aircraft carrier since its commissioning on May 18, 2001. This announcement was made by the crown addresses and highlights the strategic importance of this project.

With an estimated cost of 10.25 billion euros, the new ship will be the largest warship ever built in Europe. According to reports, the PANG will be 310 meters long and 85 meters wide, with a 17,000 square meter flight deck that can accommodate over 40 aircraft. The weight of 78,000 tons and the crew size of 2,000 men are also part of the main features of the project, which focuses on strengthening French industry, especially small and medium-sized companies.

Technical specifications and strategic importance

The new aircraft carrier will be equipped with two French-developed nuclear reactors, each with an output of 220 megawatts. The maximum speed will be 50 km/h and the ship will theoretically be able to operate permanently at sea, with revisions every 10 years. France is the only country besides the United States to own a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, underlining its strategic autonomy. This new naval unit is considered essential to France's global strategic interests, while also installing 24 Aster anti-aircraft missiles and 40mm Bofors guns.

Military planning calls for the PANG to be completed in 2038. At this point, the “Charles de Gaulle” is expected to be decommissioned. However, the lifespan of this current carrier is planned to be extended to 2048 to compensate for delays in the construction of the new carrier. Sea trials of the new aircraft carrier are scheduled for approximately 2035, while hull construction is expected to begin in 2031.

Background and challenges

The project stems from the 2003 PA2 project, which was initiated to investigate the feasibility of another carrier based on the design of the British Queen Elizabeth class. However, this project was suspended in 2009 and only revived in 2018 by the French Minister for the Armed Forces, Florence Parly. The final approval for the project was received, as the Wikipedia describes, only issued on December 8, 2020. Amid strained government finances, some French lawmakers have called for the project to be postponed, highlighting the financial and political challenges associated with the multi-billion dollar venture.

At a time when the military budget is facing numerous challenges, the new aircraft carrier is seen not only as a military but also as an economic symbol for France. The project counts on technological innovations, including the use of US technology for aircraft launch, and positions France as one of the leading military powers in Europe.

A production contract in 2026 is sought to carry out the project, which could usher in a new era of maritime capability for the French Navy. The PANG will not only replace the historic “Charles de Gaulle”, but will also lay the foundation for the future strategic direction of the French Navy. The challenges are significant, but the ambitions are high, and the project is seen as key to France's military influence in the global arena, as well 20 minutes reported.