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
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter]()
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
![US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy]()
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
![Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates]()
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
