France is set to begin construction of a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday.
"In times of aggression, we must be strong to be feared. I have decided to equip France with a new aircraft carrier," Macron was quoted as saying by French media at a Christmas event at a French military base in the United Arab Emirates.
With a displacement of around 80,000 tons, the carrier will be almost twice as heavy as its predecessor, the Charles de Gaulle.
At 310 metres long and 85 metres wide, it is designed to accommodate 30 fighter jets and 2,000 crew members.
Construction is estimated to cost up to €10 million ($11.7 million). The carrier is expected to be operational from 2038, Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said on X.
France is the only country besides the US that owns a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The Charles de Gaulle was commissioned in 2001.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Overseeing Individual budgets Successfully - 2Famous Rough terrain Vehicles for 2024
- 3An Excursion Through Renowned Western Network programs
- 4Hamas set to elect new terror leader with Hayya, Mashaal in pole position
- 55 Destinations Where Airfare Is Dropping The Most For Spring 2026, Per Dollar Flight Club Analysis
- Why the UAE has incurred the wrath of Somalia
- An Ideal Getaway - Spots for Solo Travel
- New funding transforms lives by expanding electricity access across Africa
- No injuries after blast at pro-Israel centre in the Netherlands
- Bondi Beach survivor criticizes police for inaction during terror attack
- ONE returns to Red Sea with new service
- Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS reveals weird wobbling jets in rare sun-facing tail
- Germany paves the way for tighter EU asylum rules
- What is the 'Survivor 50' Challenge? Hidden immunity idols will be up for grabs in every U.S. state.
