defense
France is building the largest warship in Europe
Updated 12/21/2025 – 6:15 p.mReading time: 1 min.
France starts construction of its mega aircraft carrier: 310 m long, space for 2,000 crew members and 30 jets – the largest and only nuclear-powered warship in Europe.
France begins construction of its new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. With a displacement of around 80,000 tons, it will be almost twice as heavy as its predecessor “Charles de Gaulle”, 310 meters long, 85 meters wide, and offer space for 30 fighter aircraft and 2,000 crew members.
“In times of aggressors, we must be strong to be feared. I have decided to equip France with a new aircraft carrier,” French media quoted President Emmanuel Macron as saying.
The construction is expected to cost up to 10 billion euros. Macron made the announcement at a Christmas party with around 900 French soldiers stationed in the United Arab Emirates.
Commissioning is planned for 2038, as Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin announced on X. France is the only country besides the USA with a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The “Charles de Gaulle” was put into service in 2001.
