France is stepping into the future of naval power with the Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PANG), a next-gen nuclear aircraft carrier set to succeed the aging Charles de Gaulle.
Speaking to French troops near the Strait of Hormuz in Abu Dhabi, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that construction has officially begun, with the program projected to cost around 10.25 billion euros ($12 billion).
With formal procurement now included in the 2025 budget, funding for the execution phase is reportedly secured.
Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group in Saint-Nazaire, the PANG is scheduled to enter service in 2038 and will become the “largest” warship ever constructed in Europe.
Next-Gen Carrier
The PANG stretches 310 meters (1,017 feet) long, with a flight deck beam of over 85 meters (279 feet) and a waterline beam of 39 meters (128 feet).
Fully loaded, it displaces 78,000 tons and can reach speeds up to 27 knots (31 miles/50 kilometers per hour), offering a formidable platform to project airpower at sea.
The carrier will feature two to three Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems from General Atomics, alongside directed energy weapons.
Its propulsion system utilizes two K22 nuclear reactors, delivering a major power upgrade over Charles de Gaulle’s K15 units.
PANG can carry at least 40 aircraft, including 36 combat jets, two to three early warning planes, five to six helicopters, and around 10 light drones.
Tech for Tomorrow
The PANG program is designed to support the development and integration of new technologies, ensuring it can evolve alongside the changing demands of modern warfare.
It aims to tackle key challenges by incorporating innovative systems and offering a high degree of scalability, allowing emerging technologies to be added over time.
At the heart of the carrier’s advancement is a data-centric combat system, a significant leap in digitizing naval operations and enabling faster, more informed decision-making at sea.
