French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday he had given the official go-ahead to replace his country’s flagship, the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
That vessel, the only nuclear-powered carrier outside the US Navy, entered service in 2001 following more than a decade of construction.
“In line with the last two military programming laws, and after a thorough and comprehensive review, I have decided to equip France with a new aircraft carrier,” Macron said, speaking during a visit to French troops in the United Arab Emirates.
The decision to give the final go-ahead was made this week, he added. “In an age of predators, we must be strong in order to be feared,” Macron said.
Also nuclear-powered, the new carrier will be far larger than the current flagship. It will displace nearly 80,000 tons and be around 310 meters long, compared with 42,000 tons and 261 meters for the Charles de Gaulle.
With a crew of 2,000, it will be able to hold 30 fighter jets. (AFP)
