Macron announces construction of a new aircraft carrier for France
French President Emmanuel Macron has officially launched the programme to build a new French aircraft carrier during his visit to the United Arab Emirates. It is to replace the Charles de Gaulle nuclear-powered ship, which has been in service since 2001 and is the only nuclear aircraft carrier outside the US fleet.
According to Macron, the decision was made after a comprehensive analysis and complies with two existing laws on military programming. The final approval of the project took place this week, which allows us to sign all the necessary contracts and move on to the full implementation phase.
The new aircraft carrier will also be nuclear-powered, but will be significantly larger than the current flagship. It will have a displacement of about 80,000 tonnes, compared to Charles de Gaulle's 42,000, and a length of about 310 metres. The ship is designed for a crew of about 2,000 people and will be able to carry up to 30 fighters.
France began studies on the replacement of the aircraft carrier in 2018, and preparatory work began in 2020. The announcement comes amid budgetary constraints and domestic debate over defence spending priorities, particularly in light of security risks in Europe.
At the same time, the future ship will be smaller than the US supercarriers, each of which has a displacement of more than 100,000 tonnes. Among countries outside the US, only China and the UK currently operate aircraft carriers of similar size, but they do not have nuclear power.
Macron made the statement during his traditional Christmas visit to the French military abroad. More than 900 French troops are currently stationed in the UAE. During the trip, the president also held talks with the UAE leader on strategic partnership and stability in the Middle East.
