French President Emmanuel Macron has formally approved the programme to build a replacement for the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The new carrier will be much larger — nearly 80,000 tons and about 310 metres long — and is expected to carry around 30 fighter jets with a crew of roughly 2,000. Macron announced the decision while visiting French troops in the UAE, where he also pressed for increased Emirati cooperation on drug‑trafficking and met President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The move clears the way to sign the contracts needed to start construction, but comes amid domestic budgetary debate and criticism about priorities.
Macron Greenlights New 80,000‑Ton French Nuclear Aircraft Carrier During UAE Visit
France's President Emmanuel Macron is in the United Arab Emirates as part of a traditional Christmas-time visit to troops overseas (Ludovic MARIN)(Ludovic MARIN/AFP/AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday that he has given final approval for a replacement for France's flagship nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle.
Project Approved After Years Of Study
The current carrier — the only nuclear-powered carrier outside the U.S. Navy — entered service in 2001 after more than a decade of construction. France began formal studies on a successor in 2018, with preliminary work starting in 2020. Macron said the decision follows the last two military programming laws and "a thorough and comprehensive review," and that the final go-ahead was taken this week.
"In an age of predators, we must be strong in order to be feared," Macron said while visiting French troops in the United Arab Emirates.
Key Specifications And Strategic Context
The new carrier will also be nuclear-powered but significantly larger: planned to displace nearly 80,000 tons and measure about 310 metres in length, compared with the Charles de Gaulle's roughly 42,000 tons and 261 metres. It is designed for a crew of about 2,000 and to carry roughly 30 fighter jets. While still smaller than the U.S. Navy's 11 supercarriers (each displacing more than 100,000 tons), only China and the United Kingdom currently operate carriers of roughly comparable scale — and those are conventionally powered.
Macron's office said formally launching the programme will allow the government to sign the contracts required to move construction forward.
Domestic Debate And International Implications
The announcement comes amid a domestic budgetary deadlock and some public criticism over priorities. Figures including military chief General Fabien Mandon have questioned whether the timing is right, arguing other defence or domestic needs may be more urgent given concerns about security in Europe and the risk of conflict with Russia.
Defenders of the project say a modern carrier is a long-term investment in France's strategic autonomy, power projection and ability to operate alongside allied navies worldwide.
UAE Visit: Troops, Diplomacy And Drug‑Trafficking Cooperation
Macron made the announcement while marking the Christmas holidays with more than 900 French personnel stationed in the United Arab Emirates. He met Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and said on X that they discussed strengthening the strategic partnership, including cooperation to promote stability across the Middle East.
A key diplomatic aim of the visit was to press the UAE for greater cooperation on combating drug trafficking. France says some major traffickers have found refuge in the Emirates, especially Dubai, and may have built substantial real estate portfolios there. The French delegation included Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, who last month requested the extradition of about 15 suspected traffickers wanted by France.
Macron also discussed defence industrial ties with Abu Dhabi; the UAE is a major purchaser of French military equipment, and Paris is reportedly exploring Emirati support for a troubled future fighter-jet programme as partners such as Germany weigh their commitments.
Reporting credits: neo-vl/led/amj/dcp/srm (original wire copy)
