France unveils new nuclear carrier France Libre, to enter service in 2038

The French Navy will receive a new nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier, named France Libre, scheduled for delivery in 2038. The 78,000‑ton vessel will be twice as heavy as its predecessor Charles de Gaulle, measuring 330 m in length and 90 m in width, and will host up to 30 next‑generation fighter aircraft, six helicopters and a variety of drones. Propulsion will rely on two electric nuclear reactors, enabling a top speed of 27 knots and a service life of about 45 years.

Naval Group leads construction, with work split between its Cherbourg integration site and the Saint‑Nazaire yards of Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Around 800 French companies are involved, and 90 % of the €10 billion cost is expected to be spent domestically. Partnerships include Thales for sensors, MBDA for missiles and Safran for equipment. The programme is projected to mobilise roughly 14,000 jobs in the Nantes‑Saint‑Nazaire region.

The project has sparked political controversy, with segments of the French left and anti‑militarist unions criticizing the expense and military focus, while others support the perceived boost to employment and national defence capabilities.