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
The Most Astonishing Arising Advances to Watch - 2See the 'amazing' photos of Earth taken on historic Artemis II moon mission
- 3Judge sets $60K bond for Florida congresswoman accused of stealing $5M in COVID-19 funds
- 4Tehran defends ship seizure as a legal action, but tensions continue in the Gulf
- 5Europe must reinvent warfare for ‘era of shocks,’ NATO’s Vandier says
- Sixteen Kenyans missing in Russia after army recruitment
- Artemis 2 breaks humanity's all-time distance record during historic loop around the moon (video)
- Vote in favor of your Number one Kind of Gems
- Moon milestones: A rundown of Artemis 2's many spaceflight firsts
- Must-See Public Parks from Around the Globe
- 7 Powerful Techniques to Boost Efficiency with Your Cell Phone: A Thorough Aide
- Nikki Glaser returns as host of the 2026 Golden Globes: Everything the comedian has said about the upcoming awards show
- When does Spotify Wrapped come out? The music streamer says 'soon.'
- 2024 Eurovision winner Nemo returns trophy over Israel's participation
