France to Build New Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier — Macron Announces Strategic Naval Push

French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that France will build a new, larger and more advanced aircraft carrier to succeed the aging Charles de Gaulle, cementing the country’s role as a leading European maritime power and bolstering its industrial base.

Speaking to French troops stationed in the Gulf region during a visit to Abu Dhabi, Macron said the decision to launch the programme was taken this week and aligns with France’s latest military planning laws.

The new vessel, known as the Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PANG), is slated to be larger and more capable than its predecessor and is expected to enter service by 2038, around the time the Charles de Gaulle is due to retire.

A Nuclear-Powered Platform for Strategic Autonomy

France’s forthcoming carrier will continue the country’s tradition of nuclear propulsion, a capability only shared with the United States among major naval powers, enabling prolonged deployments without refuelling.

According to defence reporting, the new ship is projected to displace around 75,000 tonnes and stretch roughly 300 metres in length, and it will feature advanced electromagnetic aircraft launch systems and modern carrier aviation facilities.

These systems are designed to support a mixed air wing of next-generation fighters, early-warning aircraft and unmanned systems, reflecting evolving naval aviation roles in Europe’s defence planning.

Industrial and Geopolitical Considerations

The project represents a major commitment to French shipbuilding and high-technology industry, with contracts expected to benefit shipyards and thousands of jobs in small and medium-sized enterprises across the defence supply chain.

Macron framed the carrier not just as a capability enhancement but as a symbol of national power and sovereignty, especially in a geopolitical environment marked by tensions in Eastern Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and questions over the reliability of external defence guarantees.

Despite broad political support within France, some lawmakers have called for caution given the programme’s significant costs amid wider budget pressures.

Strategic Outlook

Once completed, the PANG will give France one of the most advanced and capable carriers in Europe, reinforcing its ability to project power globally, contribute to NATO operations, and shape maritime security in critical regions well into the 21st century.