Future French carrier may receive EMALS and AAG from US
Rendering of the PANG future aircraft carrier for the French Navy. (Image: Naval Group)
US State Department approves potential $1.32 billion deal for electromagnetic aircraft launch system and aircraft arresting gear to be sold to France — Congress will now decide.
The Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PANG) future aircraft carrier programme for the French Navy could include US-made electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and advanced arresting gear (AAG) equipment, in a proposed FMS deal worth an estimated $1.32 billion.
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems and Huntington Ingalls Industries would be the prime contractors, the US State Department announced on 21 December, adding: ‘The proposed sale will result in continuation of interoperability between the United States and France.’
As well as the EMALS in a twin-launch configuration and AAG in a three-engine configuration, the FMS package would include land-based testing and test spares; shipboard installation on PANG; testing and certification support; shipboard spares; ‘peculiar support equipment’; government furnished equipment; a multi-purpose reconfigurable training system; operator and maintainer training; and other logistical services.
The PANG programme to build a new aircraft carrier for the French Navy was formally approved by President Emanuel Macron on 8 December 2020.
Planned to enter service in 2038 as a replacement for Charles de Gaulle, the new nuclear-powered carrier is expected to cost more than €5 billion ($6.06 billion).
The vessel will be 300m long with a beam of 40m and displacement of 75,000t. It will accommodate 30 aircraft and a 2,000-strong crew.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
PANG (Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation) [France]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
![HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment]()
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
![How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China]()
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
![UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet]()
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
-
![US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks]()
US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks
US military authorities claim to have sunk 20 Iranian vessels and destroyed Tehran’s Air Force, with the Pentagon making plans to send additional assets to the region.
-
![Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus]()
Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus
The recent naval modernisation efforts by the Hellenic Navy have been bolstered by the acquisition of advanced Naval Group frigates, the first of which was delivered in December 2025 and is now playing a crucial role in the latest Middle East conflict.
