Macron Names Future French Aircraft Carrier ‘France Libre’
New $11.5 Billion Carrier Set for 2038
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday that the nation’s next aircraft carrier will be named France Libre (Free France). The announcement came during a visit to the Naval Group shipyard in Indre, near Nantes, where the vessel is under construction.
The new carrier is expected to replace the current Charles de Gaulle and is scheduled to enter service in 2038, with an estimated cost of €10 billion ($11.5 billion).
Advanced Design and Capabilities
The carrier will measure 310 meters (over 1,000 feet) in length, displace 80,000 metric tons, and be powered by two nuclear reactors. It will be larger than the Charles de Gaulle, enhancing France’s naval projection and strategic capabilities.
Macron Highlights Strategic Importance
Macron described the aircraft carrier as “a constant demonstration of determination and commitment — to act alone if necessary, and with our allies whenever possible.” He stressed that France must maintain the ability to respond in a world where global rules are uncertain, and crises can emerge unexpectedly.
“Without a strong defense industry, we would face military subordination, strategic dependence, and economic vulnerability,” Macron said, emphasizing the importance of national sovereignty.
He also noted that seas and oceans have become “new arenas of contemporary conflict,” and that this trend will grow with time, reinforcing the need for a capable and modern naval force.
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