France will build a new aircraft carrier to strengthen its status as a leading maritime power, President Emmanuel Macron announced while addressing French troops at a military base in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
“The decision to launch this vast programme was taken this week,” Macron said, presenting the project as a cornerstone of France’s long-term defence strategy and naval credibility in an increasingly contested global environment.
The future vessel, often referred to as the successor to the Charles de Gaulle, is expected to anchor French naval power well into the second half of the 21st century. France’s only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has been in service since 2001.
French defence planners have long warned that replacing the Charles de Gaulle is essential to avoid a gap in carrier capability. The ship is due to be retired around 2038, following decades of operational deployments.
Speaking in Abu Dhabi, Macron underlined the strategic symbolism of the announcement. The French base in the United Arab Emirates reflects France’s enduring military footprint in the Middle East and its commitment to regional stability.
The new aircraft carrier programme is expected to be one of the most ambitious defence projects ever undertaken by France. It will involve thousands of engineers, technicians, and industrial workers over several decades.
Although detailed specifications have not yet been made public, the carrier is widely expected to be nuclear-powered. This would ensure extended operational endurance and compatibility with France’s nuclear deterrence doctrine.
The ship is also likely to operate next-generation aircraft, including the future carrier-based version of France’s new combat air system. Unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced command systems are also expected to play a major role.
Macron framed the project as a matter of sovereignty. “An aircraft carrier is not just a ship,” he told the assembled troops. “It is the expression of independence, freedom of action, and strategic responsibility.”
France sees aircraft carriers as essential tools for power projection, crisis response, and alliance operations. They allow rapid deployment of air power without reliance on foreign bases.
The decision comes at a time of heightened global tensions, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. France maintains territories and exclusive economic zones in the Indian and Pacific oceans.
French officials argue that a credible naval presence is vital to protecting those interests, as well as ensuring freedom of navigation amid growing competition between major powers.
Within Europe, the announcement reinforces France’s unique position. It remains the only European Union country operating an aircraft carrier, following the United Kingdom’s exit from the bloc.
Paris has repeatedly called for stronger European defence capabilities. Macron has argued that Europe must be able to act militarily when necessary, both within NATO and independently.
The financial cost of the new carrier is expected to run into several billion euros. While the government has not released a final figure, officials insist the investment is necessary and sustainable.
Supporters point to the economic benefits, highlighting jobs in shipbuilding, nuclear engineering, aerospace, and high-technology sectors across France.
Critics, however, are likely to question the expense at a time of budget pressures and competing domestic priorities. Debates over defence spending are expected to intensify in parliament.
Despite these concerns, Macron signalled strong political backing for the project. He described it as a long-term commitment that would outlast individual governments and electoral cycles.
By announcing the decision before French troops abroad, Macron sought to underline the human dimension of military power. “This programme is for you,” he said, addressing service members.
As planning moves forward, the new aircraft carrier is set to become a defining symbol of France’s military ambition, industrial capacity, and determination to remain a global maritime power.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members