France: A New Aircraft Carrier Facing New Threats

"In the age of predators, we must be strong in order to be feared."

It was with these words that Emmanuel Macron justified, on December 21 from Abu Dhabi, his decision to provide France with a new aircraft carrier. In an increasingly degraded global security context, where every power seeks to assert its sovereignty, the future "next-generation aircraft carrier" is presented as the French response to new threats and new environments. It will be the "future centerpiece of our armed forces, ensuring the projection of power from the high seas," welcomed Catherine Vautrin, Minister of the Armed Forces.

Planned to replace the Charles-de-Gaulle in 2038, it will weigh 78,000 tons, measure approximately 310 meters in length, and will be able to carry Rafale F5 fighter jets. 800 companies will be involved in this project, at a cost of 10 billion euros.

The construction of the new aircraft carrier, just launched by Emmanuel Macron, responds to a triple sovereignty challenge: industrial, technological, and military.