France to develop Europe's biggest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

France has officially announced plans to build a new, larger nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PANG), to replace its aging Charles de Gaulle. President Emmanuel Macron revealed the decision during a visit to French troops in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the carrier’s strategic importance for France’s maritime power projection and nuclear deterrence. The PANG is projected to cost around €10.25 billion ($12 billion) and is expected to enter service by 2038, coinciding with the retirement of the Charles de Gaulle. This vessel will be the largest warship ever built in Europe, reinforcing France’s position as the EU’s only nuclear-armed state operating a nuclear-powered carrier. The program also aims to bolster France’s industrial base, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises. The PANG will be significantly larger than its predecessor, displacing about 78,000 tonnes compared to the Charles de Gaulle’s 42,000 tonnes, and measuring approximately 310 meters in length with