France to Build New Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier, Macron Confirms

The new aircraft carrier will be powered by two K22 nuclear reactors and will be equipped with French Rafale M fighter jets.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a media conference at the European Union Summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Dec. 19, 2025. Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP Photo

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Dec. 21 plans to build a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to replace the ageing “Charles de Gaulle”, which entered service in 2001.

“In accordance with the last two military programming laws and after a thorough and meticulous review, I have decided to equip France with a new aircraft carrier,” Macron said.