Future French Aircraft Carrier

The French Navy plans to replace its aging Charles de Gaulle carrier with a new aircraft carrier concept known as the PANG (porte-avions de nouvelle génération). A trio of French firms was recently awarded the first long-lead contract to produce the main components of the nuclear boiler rooms for the next generation aircraft carrier. Construction of the PANG is expected to begin in 2031 and projected to enter service in 2038.

The design of the PANG is slightly similar to the US Navy’s Ford Class carriers and will be nuclear powered like its predecessor the Charles de Gaulle and include an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). Aircrafts planned for the new carrier include the Rafale M and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) a sixth-generation fighter aircraft and weapon systems being developed by a European consortium comprising France, Germany and Spain.