In 2001, the conventionally-powered Foch was replaced by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, and the French Navy commemorated its service. The largest warship launched in over twenty years, the Charles de Gaulle has become an outstanding asset that can carry a total of 40 airframes, including fighter jets like the Rafale M and airborne early warning aircraft like the E-2C Hawkeye.
The Charles de Gaulle is fitted with state-of-the-art USN-type C13 catapults, an advanced stabilizing system, and a radar sensors suite. According to Naval Technology, the major deck has a runway angled 8.5° to the ship’s axis with catapults. It can launch one aircraft per minute, with the carrier equipped with an avionics suite including Thales DRBJ 11B three-dimensional long-range air search radar and Thales DRBV 26D Jupiter medium/long-range air search radar, among others.
In 2007, a major refit of Charles de Gaulle started, including nuclear refueling and new propellers; its speed is now up to 27 knots. Its weaponry was also upgraded to carry Rafale F3 jets with SCALP EG cruise missiles and ASMP-A nuclear missiles. It has two surface anti-air missile systems and six-cell Sadral launching systems for Mistral anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems.
In the meantime, France is already at work for the next-generation aircraft carrier, the PANG. The PANG design was updated to show an almost entirely new shape for the island and most especially, presented at Euronaval 2022. The model presented a helicopter spot and an area for aircraft maintenance on the flight deck. The flight deck has been adapted with a possible third EMALS.
The two K22 reactors will enable PANG to carry up to 32 next-generation fighter jets in its air wing. The latest specification has a full load displacement of around 75,000 tons, a length overall of 310 meters, and a top speed of 30 knots. It will be fitted for self-protection with SIMBAD-RC, RapidFire CIWS, VLS for Aster missiles, and CMLS anti-torpedo decoy launchers.
The United States has approved a possible FMS to France for the EMALS and AAG, estimated at $1.321 billion. General Atomics will provide design services to integrate these systems into the PANG program and maintain interoperability between the United States and France. Other elements of the sale include land-based testing, shipboard installation, and certification support.
The PANG program currently is in the “risk mitigation & innovation studies” phase, scheduled to end in December 2023. It is followed by the “definition phase” that will run until December 2025. From 2026 until 2036, development and production of the ships will occur, with some milestones: preliminary design review in Q4 2028, critical design review in Q4 2029, first sea trials toward the end of 2035, and delivery/commissioning in 2038.
As France goes forward with the PANG, a good tradition is maintained at sea, as the maritime capability of the navy stays among the best anywhere in the world.