France outlines future naval defense projects including aircraft carrier and stealth destroyer

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has detailed plans for the future of its naval capabilities, focusing on the successor to the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and a conceptual stealth destroyer.

Scheduled to enter service around 2038, the new aircraft carrier, named France Libre, is expected to be approximately 310 meters long with a displacement of nearly 80,000 tons. The vessel is planned to feature two K22 nuclear reactors, three electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS), and a service life potentially extending to 2080. A central technical challenge involves integrating artificial intelligence, drones, and advanced radar systems into a secure digital architecture to accelerate decision-making processes.

Additionally, France has presented the SCX 26, a conceptual design for an 8,000-ton stealth destroyer. This vessel is envisioned to carry up to 96 missiles and incorporate advanced weaponry such as an electromagnetic cannon and a 100 kW laser. The design aims to provide a flexible platform capable of managing high-intensity scenarios, including threats from drone swarms and high-speed missiles.