Rama / Wikipedia
Artist’s concept of the French Navy’s new PANG / Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération aircraft carrier
The French navy’s new “next generation aircraft carrier” will replace the old Charles de Gaulle, commissioned in 2001, which is already the largest ship in western Europe.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, confirmed this Sunday plans to build a new, larger and more modern aircraft carrier to replace the aging Charles de Gaulle and strengthen France’s maritime power.
The program, known as “Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération” (PANG), should cost around 10.25 billion euros, and, according to the French government, should be operational in 2038at which point the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is expected to be removed from service.
According to the agency, work on the components of the nuclear propulsion began last year, and the final order will have to be formalized within the scope of the State Budget for 2025.
The PANG, which should be the largest warship ever built in Europe, it is seen as the centerpiece of French nuclear deterrent and the European effort for greater autonomy in defense matters.
The advertisement appears in a context marked by Russia’s war in Ukraine and due to the reluctance of the American president, Donald Trumpin supporting the security of the continent.
Macron made the announcement during a speech addressed to soldiers stationed in a cleaning mother Abu Dhibilocated next to the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point crucial to global oil flows.
“The decision to launch this vast program was taken this week”, stated the head of state, adding that the project will strengthen the French industrial base, in particular small and medium-sized companies.
“As announced by the President of the Republic, the Ministry of the Armed Forces is launching the construction of the next generation aircraft carrier (PANG)”, on the social network Catherine Vautrin.
“Future central pillar of the armed forces, will design power from high seaswith its start-up expected in 2038,” added the minister.
Some French deputies from the center and left have been suggesting, in recent weeks, that the construction project for the new aircraft carrier should be postponed due to pressure on public finances French.
The Charles de Gaulle, flagship of the French navy, which was ordered in 1986 and commissioned in 2001, is a CATOBAR-type aircraft carrier, which uses a shorter version of the catapult system installed on North American aircraft carriers Classe Nimitz.
France, the the only nuclear power in the European Unionis also one of the few European countries with an aircraft carrieralong with the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain.
After the Brazilian Navy has in 2023, there is currently only 23 aircraft carriers worldwidecommissioned by the navies of 8 countries: United States (11), China (3)United Kingdom, Italy and India (2), Russia, France and Spain (1).
Russia, which will , is about to leave the group.
