France’s new “PANG” carrier will utilize an electromagnetic launch system (EMALS), giving it a flat deck and allowing it to launch heavier aircraft than the ski jump-equipped Charles de Gaulle.

After years of discussions, the Maritime Nationale (French Navy) received a formal green light on Sunday for the building of a 78,000-tonne nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The future warship—which will eventually replace the French Navy’s aging flagship Charles de Gaulle—will be capable of embarking upwards of 30 jet fighters.

“In this age of predators, we must be strong to be feared. And in particular, strong at sea! That is why, in accordance with the last two military planning laws, and after a thorough and careful review, I have decided to equip France with a new aircraft carrier. The decision to launch the realization of this major program was made this week,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in remarks to French military personnel in Abu Dhabi.

About France’s “Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération” (PANG) Aircraft Carrier

The PANG has been in development for years. In the spring of 2024, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces awarded the first contract for the long-lead items order for the future flattop. Naval Group, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and Technicatome have received notifications to begin long-term services, including the development of nuclear propulsion systems.

France’s Naval Group shipbuilding conglomerate has also been tasked with industrializing and producing the main components of nuclear reactors, while its Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard has begun adapting its facilities for the construction phase in Saint-Nazaire. TechnicAtome was named the prime contractor for the nuclear reactors, and has been leading the design efforts.

According to Macron, the project will mobilize a wide variety of actors within French industry, with more than 800 suppliers supporting the PANG program. Upwards of 80 percent of those firms are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), employing thousands of French workers.

“I will personally guarantee this commitment in support of our companies, and I will visit the shipyard next February to meet them,” Macron added.

The program is expected to cost approximately €10.25 billion ($12 billion). This is considerably more than the €3 billion (about $3.4 billion at handover) paid for the Charles de Gaulle, which was commissioned in 2001 and was significantly over budget at the time.

The PANG Will Be a Major Upgrade over the Charles de Gaulle

According to a 2021 French Navy Budget report highlighted key points for the program, namely that the future carrier would provide long-term control of air and sea spaces; that it could provide massive and repeatable power projection far from its homeport; that it would provide an autonomous assessment of the situation (SITREP); and notably it would be complementary with the strategic oceanic force (FOST) and the strategic air forces (FAS).

The new carrier will be significantly smaller than the United States Navy’s nuclear-powered supercarriers, but comparable in size to the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN’s) newly commissioned conventionally powered Type 003 Fujian, which has a full-load displacement of just over 80,000 tons (72,500 tonnes). It will have an overall length of 310 meters (1,017 ft) and a beam of approximately 90 meters (295 ft).

Like both the US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class flattops and the Type 003, the future French carrier will be equipped with electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS), enabling rapid aircraft sorties. The EMALS catapults will enable heavier aircraft to be launched than those from the Charles de Gaulle, which employs a ski jump ramp.

The carrier is part of Paris’s commitment to increase its defense spending over the next two years. Macron had pledged to see his nation spend €64 billion ($72.2 billion) on defense in 2017, the last year of his second term, doubling the budget from when he entered office.

The PANG carrier was first announced in 2020.

“This new aircraft carrier will be a testament to our nation’s power, a power of industry and technology,” said Macron. “Power at the service of freedom on the high seas. And in the turbulent waters of time.”

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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