France begins construction of a new nuclear aircraft carrier. This will be Europe's largest warship
France is launching an ambitious project to create a new generation nuclear aircraft carrier. The gigantic ship will be able to carry 30 fighter jets and provide autonomous operations for two thousand crew members, becoming the largest warship ever built in Europe.
The nuclear vessel, 310 meters long and 85 meters wide, is designed to accommodate 30 combat aircraft and 2,000 crew members. Construction will cost up to 10 billion euros. The ship's commissioning is planned for 2038, Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin announced, writes BILD.
"In times of aggressors, we must be strong enough to be feared. I have decided to equip France with a new aircraft carrier," French media quote President Emmanuel Macron as saying.
Currently, France has only one nuclear aircraft carrier, the "Charles de Gaulle," built in 2001. It is almost twice smaller than the new ship.
Besides France, only the USA has nuclear aircraft carriers. The nuclear propulsion allows ships to remain at sea for years without refueling, making them true "floating airfields" capable of operating anywhere in the world.
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