FS Charles de Gaulle

Integration in the future Navy

The French Navy is usually a two-carrier navy, mainly to ensure that at least one ship is operational at all times even if the other is under repair. This scheme calls for another aircraft carrier to be built.

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The emerging European forces have made equipment standardisation both a necessity and a way to reduce costs. In this context, projects have been drafted to merge the British and French projects for future carriers.

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It is possible that the new ship series could be built on the British design, incorporating the recent experience with the Charles De Gaulle.

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Steps have been taken to make such a scenario possible: the new carrier had to be conventionally propelled to meet the requirements of the Royal Navy, and while the French Navy favoured a nuclear design, French President Jacques Chirac declared at the end of 2004 that the next French carrier would use a gas engine.

Related Topics:
Royal Navy - French Navy

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However another issue is that because of the size of the hull, the British will need a modular construction, while the French have the dry docks needed to build a one-piece hull.

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See also: Future French aircraft carrier

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