With a thrust towards enhancing its maritime military prowess, France is forging ahead with the construction of a new-generation aircraft carrier, the Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération (PANG).

As of April 26, 2024, the French Ministry of Defense has awarded contracts focusing on the propulsion systems of the forthcoming carrier, marking a significant milestone in its naval defense capabilities.

The awarded contracts involve the construction of nuclear reactors, containment structures, and the secondary loop essential for converting nuclear energy into electricity.

Naval Group, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and TechnicAtome are the three primary contractors entrusted with this monumental task, each playing a critical role in bringing the PANG to fruition.

The ambition behind the PANG is to supersede the Charles de Gaulle, France’s current and only aircraft carrier,commenced in October 2018.

The Charles de Gaulle, following its temporary maintenance, is now deploying under NATO command in the Mediterranean, a move that reinforces France’s commitment to its allies and the collective defense posture of the alliance.

While the Charles de Gaulle is not scheduled for retirement until 2038, its solitary position in France’s naval fleet, its periodic downtime, and the decommissioning of its predecessor, Foch, have accentuated the need for a second carrier to ensure unbroken naval group availability.

With a full load displacement of approximately 75,000 tons and an overall length of 310 meters, length at waterline305 mthe PANG will be a colossal maritime force.

Boasting a flight deck surface area of around 17,000 square meters and equipped with two to three 90-meter electromagnetic catapults (EMALS), the carrier is designed to reach maximum speeds of over 30 knots.

The airwing will host about 30 New Generation Fighters (NGFs) and Rafale Ms, and it will employ the CATOBAR system for aircraft takeoff and landing.

A key aspect of the PANG’s operational capability is its nuclear propulsion, with new reactors developed to deliver substantial power, critical for operating advanced systems like EMALS.

Moreover, discussions of a “group buy” with the U.S. CVN 78 program for these catapult systems are underway to capitalize on economies of scale, though delays in the American program could impact this strategy.

However, French and U.S. parties have shown optimism that an agreement with different delivery schedules by General Atomics could still be reached.The PANG program is currently in its “definition phase,” which is set to culminate in December 2025 with the system functional review milestone.

The decision to embark on the development and production phase is slated for the end of 2025 or early 2026, after which the “development and production” phase will span 10 years (2026 until 2036).

The construction of the PANG is anticipated to initiate in early 2031 in Saint-Nazaire, and the carrier is expected to undergo first sea trials by the end of 2035 or early 2036. Delivery for late 2036 or early 2037.

Relevant articles:
– France Orders First Long Lead Items for PANG Aircraft Carrier Program, Naval News
– French Navy orders placed for next generation aircraft carrier, Navy Recognition
– In first, France’s aircraft carrier to deploy under NATO command, Defense News
– Global Naval Defense News Coverage, Naval News