France aircraft carrier, Macron tells troops in Gulf
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that France will build a new aircraft carrier to replace its ageing flagship. He announced the decision while addressing French troops at a military base in Abu Dhabi. Macron said the government approved the launch of the programme earlier this week.
The new carrier will replace the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle, which is expected to retire in the late 2030s. The project, known as Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PANG), is estimated to cost about 10.25 billion euros. French officials said the vessel is scheduled to enter service in 2038.
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Work on key components has already begun. Nuclear propulsion systems started development last year, according to government officials, while the final order for construction is expected to be approved as part of the 2025 defence budget. The carrier will be central to France’s naval strike capability, allowing the deployment of fighter jets, helicopters, and support aircraft during overseas operations.
Macron said the programme would also have significant economic effects at home. He told troops that the carrier would strengthen France’s industrial base, with work spread across major defence contractors and a network of small and medium-sized companies. France is one of Europe’s leading military powers and one of five countries officially recognised as possessing nuclear weapons, a status that underpins its global military posture.
The announcement came during a broader diplomatic visit to the United Arab Emirates, where Macron is spending the Christmas period with French forces deployed abroad. More than 900 French troops are stationed in the UAE, reflecting a long-standing defence partnership between Paris and Abu Dhabi. Macron also held talks with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, focusing on security cooperation and regional stability in the Middle East.
Beyond defence ties, discussions included cooperation against drug trafficking. French officials believe several major traffickers wanted by France are living in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, where some are thought to have invested heavily in property. The French delegation includes Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, who has previously urged Emirati authorities to extradite suspects sought by French courts.
France is also looking to deepen broader strategic cooperation with the UAE, which is a major buyer of French military equipment. The visit underlined Paris’s intent to maintain a strong military presence in the Gulf while investing in long-term naval capabilities through the construction of its next-generation aircraft carrier.
