According to what emerges from the recently published draft of the 2026 budget, France is planning to carry out the purchase of a third electromagnetic catapult system from the United States, the same type that will equip the future nuclear aircraft carrier PA-NG of the French Navy. In particular, the institution seeks to secure part of the additional defense funding requested by President Emmanuel Macron during a speech delivered last July, arguing that the country is currently facing imminent security threats, both in the present and in the future.
Expanding on the details, it is important to remember that the French president intends to increase the defense budget by around 3.5 billion euros for the year 2026, while for 2027 another 3 billion euros would be added. With this in mind, the aforementioned budget draft states: “(…) funding for the third catapult track and the data-centered upgrade of the Combat Management System (CMS) in its progressive development approach is provided with the additional funding requested by the President of the Republic during his speech of July 13, 2025.”
Furthermore, the document in question details that for the remainder of this year and for 2026, the intention is to keep the preliminary design work of the ship active, along with the risk mitigation studies associated with it. In addition, efforts will be made to ensure that within this period the acquisition of the EMALS systems that will equip the aircraft carrier, as well as the arresting system that enables the recovery of deployed aircraft, is secured. If this can be achieved, the intention is also to proceed with the signing of the main construction contract for the vessel, as well as to begin work on the dry dock and pier that will serve as the home port of the PA-NG.
It should also be recalled, as reported toward the end of September, that Naval Group and TechnicAtome have already begun the construction of the new K-22 nuclear reactors that will power the future French aircraft carrier. Specifically, work is underway on the steel modules designed to house the reactors themselves, each measuring 14 meters in height and 13 meters in diameter, with a weight of 1,300 tons. As one of the most critical components of the ship, this work is being carried out with constant support and supervision from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).
Delving deeper into the technical characteristics, it can be mentioned that the PA-NG aircraft carrier would displace around 78,000 tons, contained within a length of 310 meters and a beam of about 90 meters. In addition, analysts currently indicate that the vessel would feature an embarked air wing composed of around 30 combat aircraft, complemented by an additional number of helicopters and early warning aircraft. To allow these to operate comfortably, the flight deck is expected to include the aforementioned electromagnetic catapults, as well as a three-wire arresting system and two starboard-side elevators capable of handling loads of up to 40 tons.
In terms of delivery dates, it is worth remembering that the PA-NG is intended to replace the current aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle starting in 2038, nearly two decades after the program was approved to begin its design phase. To meet that goal, current planning foresees that the vessel’s assembly will be carried out by Chantiers de l’Atlantique beginning in 2032 in the French town of Saint-Nazaire, while in 2035 it would be transferred to Toulon to complete the fitting-out work and fuel loading of the reactor. A year later, the aircraft carrier is scheduled to begin sea trials prior to its future commissioning.
*Images used for illustrative purposes only
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