Aviation News – France will build a new aircraft carrier to replace the Charles de Gaulle, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday, signalling a long-term commitment to maintaining the country’s naval air power.
The project, known as the New Generation Aircraft Carrier (PANG), is expected to cost around €10.25 billion ($12 billion). It will replace the Charles de Gaulle, France’s only aircraft carrier, which is scheduled to retire by 2038. Macron made the announcement during a visit to a French military base in Abu Dhabi, close to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
President Emmanuel Macron | Rob Vogelaar
The future vessel is planned to be significantly larger than its predecessor. Measuring about 310 metres in length and 85 metres in width, the carrier is designed to operate around 30 fighter jets and accommodate some 2,000 crew members. The increased size is intended to improve operational endurance and air sortie capacity during deployments.
Speaking at the base, Macron said the new carrier would be essential for France’s ability to project power and safeguard its strategic interests, adding that it would form a central pillar of the nation’s defence posture for decades to come.
Once completed, the PANG is expected to ensure continuity in France’s carrier strike capability as the Charles de Gaulle approaches the end of its service life. The programme also reflects broader efforts to modernise the French armed forces and sustain the country’s role as a major naval power.
