Aircraft Carrier   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Bloomberg • Kavita Mokha

France launches PA-NG carrier 'France Libre' — 78,000‑ton nuclear warship with 3 EMALS and 40+ aircraft, due 2038

President Emmanuel Macron has launched construction of France’s next‑generation nuclear aircraft carrier, the PA‑NG named France Libre (Free France), at Naval Group’s Nantes‑Indret yard. The 78,000‑ton ship, due in service 2038, will replace Charles de Gaulle and feature three EMALS catapults and capacity for 40+ aircraft.

Also: lemonde.fr, Army Recognition, navylookout.com, Naval News, The Independent and Army Recognition
2026-03-18T10:29:04.272055-07:00
Dassault Aviation   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France’s Rafale Dispersal Plan: Is the Air Force Ready to Deliver Forward Nuclear Deterrence?

By AeroTime: President Emmanuel Macron’s forward nuclear deterrence relies on rapidly dispersing Rafale jets throughout Europe. For years, France's Air Force has been quietly laying the groundwork.

2026-03-18T07:01:05.586621-07:00