France begins building its new €10.25B nuclear aircraft carrier, PANG, to replace Charles de Gaulle by 2038.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the start of construction for a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, known as PANG, during a visit to French troops in the UAE. The vessel, set to enter service by 2038, will replace the aging Charles de Gaulle and will be significantly larger, displacing nearly 80,000 tons and carrying 30 fighter jets. The project, part of France’s defense modernization efforts, aims to strengthen naval power, national security, and the domestic defense industry amid global challenges. The announcement coincided with discussions on deepening Franco-UAE cooperation, including counter-drug trafficking and potential support for France’s future fighter jet program.