Key Points and Summary – France’s next-generation carrier, PANG (Porte-avions de nouvelle génération), will replace Charles de Gaulle around 2038, with construction slated to begin in 2031.
-Nuclear-powered by twin K22 reactors, PANG is projected at 78,000 tons, 310 m long, 27 knots, and fitted with EMALS and advanced arresting gear.
-It’s expected to operate roughly 30 Future Combat Air System jets—fewer aircraft than U.S. supercarriers but on what could be Europe’s largest warship.
-Despite talk of delays, strong backing from Defense Minister (now PM) Sébastien Lecornu and Navy leadership frames PANG as vital to preserving France’s carrier aviation skills, nuclear know-how, and industrial base.
France’s PANG Aircraft Carrier Profile
The French chose a simple acronym for their next generation of aircraft carriers: PANG, or Porte-avions de nouvelle génération, which translates to “new-generation aircraft carrier.”
This class is the designated replacement for the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle, which, in addition to being the only carrier in the French Navy, is named for France’s most iconic 20th-century hero.
PANG Initial History and Concept
The Charles de Gaulle (Pennant No. R91; affectionately nicknamed “CDG”) was commissioned and made her maiden voyage on May 18, 2001—five years behind her originally projected deadline, and seven years after her launch date.
Ordered on Feb. 3, 1986, she was originally named the Richelieu in honor of Armand-Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu, who is considered one of the founders of the French Navy. The vessel was rechristened in honor of Gen. De Gaulle on May 18, 1987.
As for Le PANG—which will also be nuclear-powered—her keel has not been laid yet.
Construction is expected to begin in 2031, by which time CDG will be celebrating her 30th service anniversary. The proverbial new kid on the block is slated for commissioning in 2038, the same year the Charles de Gaulle is planned for retirement.
PANG will sport advanced features such as an electromagnetic aircraft launch system and advanced arresting gear.
PANG Technical Specifications and Vital Stats
-Displacement: 78,000 tons fully laden
-Hull Length: 310 m (1,020 ft)
-Beam Width: 85 m (279 ft)
-Primary Propulsion: 2 × K22 pressurized water reactors (PWR), each generating 220 MW (300,000 hp)
-Max Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
-Range: Unlimited distance (thanks to the nuclear power factor)
-Crew Complement: Approximately commissioned officers and enlisted seamen
-Aircraft Carrying Capacity: Approximately 30 x Future Combat Air System (FCAS) jets
As noted by Harper Ellis, “The PANG will not only be France’s largest aircraft carrier but also the largest warship ever constructed in Europe, setting the bar for future aircraft carriers across the globe.” (For comparison, CDG has a displacement of a mere 42,500 tons fully laden and a hell length of 261.5 meters).
However, even with that extra bulk, the PANG will have a significantly lower aircraft carrying capacity than the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class and Nimitz-class flattops (75 and 60 warbirds, respectively).
Allons! The Way Forward for Le PANG
Earlier this year, it looked like construction might have run into trouble, but fortunately, it looks like any delays have been staved off, at least for now.
As noted in July by Martin Manaranche of Naval News, “A French parliamentary report published in early June floated the idea of postponing the construction of the next generation aircraft carrier (also known as PANG), but the Minister for the Armed Forces firmly opposed such an option and voiced his support for the program.”
That Defense Minister’s name is Sébastien Lecornu, and if his name sounds familiar to Francophiles, it should: On Sept. 9, he became France’s new Prime Minister, in the process replacing François Bayrou, who resigned after losing a confidence vote in parliament.
A rare occurrence of a 5-country multinational fleet of the NATO countries, the Netherlands, France, the United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom, during Operation Enduring Freedom in the Oman Sea. Image Credit: U.S. Navy
In defense of the future aircraft carrier program, Lecornu said this:
“All debates are possible, but I have two certainties. The first is that there will never be a time in the future, in any conflict, where we will not need to provide air defence and air superiority.
“We shouldn’t kid ourselves, as this is not a global know-how: 4 nuclear reactors for 4 SSBNs, 6 reactors for 6 SSNs […] and the 2 nuclear reactors with their development and maintenance [for the PANG], that’s just enough to keep the skills alive.
“You can’t give up on an entire crew, an entire naval aviation, and say it’s going to be over in 4-5 years. … You can’t do that. You already have people in the Navy who are preparing the crew for the next 10 or 15 years from now. So, the scenario in which we would stop the aircraft carrier function for 4 or 5 years, we must tell the truth: if it stops, it would stop completely. We’re not going to keep 1,400 sailors for 4 years doing nothing, it doesn’t make sense.”
Meanwhile, French Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Nicolas Vaujour added the following in defense of PANG: “The construction of the future aircraft carrier is an exceptional growth lever. … [French know-how] is a unique industrial fabric to be preserved. … This is a strong impact in all regions.”
About the Author: Christian D. Orr, Defense Expert
Christian D. Orr is a Senior Defense Editor. He is a former Air Force Security Forces officer, Federal law enforcement officer, and private military contractor (with assignments worked in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany, and the Pentagon). Chris holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC) and an M.A. in Intelligence Studies (concentration in Terrorism Studies) from American Military University (AMU). He is also the author of the newly published book “Five Decades of a Fabulous Firearm: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Beretta 92 Pistol Series.”
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