The French Navy has released computer-generated images to imagine what the future French aircraft carrier will look like.
Called “PANG”, for “new generation aircraft carrier”, it should replace the Charles de Gaulle in 2038. The latter will retire after 37 years of service.
Designed by Naval Group, the new aircraft carrier will be much more massive. It will be 75,000 tons for about 305 meters long, against 42,000 tons for 261 meters for the Charles de Gaulle. Like its predecessor, the PANG will be equipped with nuclear propulsion, an energy that guarantees increased autonomy at sea.
From 2038, it will succeed Charles de Gaulle. Larger, more powerful, equipped with nuclear propulsion, it will allow the to maintain its ability to project air-sea power by adapting to future challenges. Journey into the future to discover the PA-NG! pic.twitter.com/l1PXXyR56G
– National Navy (@MarineNationale) April 12, 2022
With a crew of 2,000 sailors, it will be able to carry 30 Rafale or SCAF combat aircraft, the future European aircraft.
The start of construction is scheduled for the end of 2025. The first sea trials will take place in 2036 and commissioning is therefore scheduled for 2038.
Emmanuel Macron announced the construction of the PANG in December 2020, during a trip to the Framatome nuclear site in Le Creusot. “France’s strategic autonomy is of course deterrence (…) it is of course the propulsion of our nuclear ballistic missile and attack submarines, it is also nuclear propulsion of our aircraft carriers (…) This is why I have decided that the future aircraft carrier which will equip our country and our navy will be like the nuclear-powered Charles-de-Gaulle”, he declared.