The name refers to the Free France movement led by General Charles de Gaulle during the Second World War. The movement emerged after the fall of France, when de Gaulle refused to accept an armistice with Germany and later formed a government-in-exile in London.
“I wanted to place our future aircraft carrier in the lineage of General de Gaulle. His life, his destiny and the decisions taken as early as June 1940 – all of this reflects a certain image of France. For him and for us. The French spirit. It is the spirit of resistance. It is a will that nothing can stop,” Macron said, explaining the choice of name.
The announcement follows the president’s approval in December 2025 to begin construction of the Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération (PANG) after more than five years of development. The programme has been led by MO Porte-Avions, a joint venture between Naval Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, with TechnicAtome responsible for the vessel’s nuclear reactors.
The future carrier will measure approximately 310 metres in length and around 90 metres in width, with a displacement of about 80,000 tonnes. It will be significantly larger than the current carrier Charles de Gaulle, which has been in service since 2001.
Powered by two TechnicAtome K-22 pressurised water reactors, the ship is expected to have virtually unlimited range and extended endurance, with speeds of up to 27 knots. The vessel’s crew, including its air wing, is projected to number around 2,000 personnel.
Construction is scheduled to begin with hull assembly at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in 2032. The ship will then be transferred to the naval base in Toulon for final outfitting and nuclear fuelling in mid-2035.
Sea trials are planned for 2036, with entry into service in the French Navy expected in 2038. The commissioning of France Libre is set to coincide with the planned retirement of the Charles de Gaulle after decades of service.
The PANG programme is expected to involve around 800 companies, 80% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises. It is projected to support up to 14,000 jobs within the French defence industry, with more than 90% of contracts awarded to domestic suppliers.
According to Macron, the total cost of building France Libre is estimated at approximately €10 billion. The programme is intended to strengthen France’s long-term naval capabilities and sustain its industrial base.
