Design phase continuation for new French carrier as FDI programme offers mixed bag
An image of how the new French carrier might look. (Image: Naval Group)
A flurry of announcements in recent days have detailed the structure of France’s new carrier programme and progress on the FDI frigate build.
Recent progress on France’s key next-generation carrier and FDI frigate programmes revealed additional details on design phases and vessel construction respectively. However, the delivery timeline for the first-in-class FDI vessel, the future FNS Amiral Ronarc’h, appears to have slipped slightly to the right.
On 30 March, it was revealed that the French government inaugurated ‘a new design platform’ for the next-generation carrier bringing together teams from Naval Group, Chantiers de l’Atlantique and TechnicAtome, while also announcing the notification of the brief preliminary design contract. A JV between Naval Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, under a 65-35% split, was formally
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Canada targets 2027 frigate trials for CU179 Peregrine uncrewed helicopter]()
Canada targets 2027 frigate trials for CU179 Peregrine uncrewed helicopter
The Royal Canadian Navy’s CU179 Peregrine will undergo Halifax-class frigate trials in 2027 ahead of initial operational capability in 2028, while River-class destroyer integration arrangements remain undefined.
-
![Argentina’s submarine and frigate acquisitions resurface with $3.5bn funding plan]()
Argentina’s submarine and frigate acquisitions resurface with $3.5bn funding plan
Buenos Aires set out foreign loans worth $3.5 billion in its draft 2027 budget, opening a contest in which Naval Group and TKMS could lead the field.
-
![AUKUS heavyweight torpedo test raises questions over future armed UUV requirements]()
AUKUS heavyweight torpedo test raises questions over future armed UUV requirements
A heavyweight torpedo firing from the Royal Navy’s uncrewed submarine XV Excalibur suggests a shift beyond surveillance, with allied navies eyeing strike roles for large autonomous undersea vessels.
-
![Industrial teams prepare roadmap for Indonesia aircraft carrier transformation]()
Industrial teams prepare roadmap for Indonesia aircraft carrier transformation
Fincantieri and PT PAL have agreed on a framework to modernise the former Giuseppe Garibaldi, with drones, communications and broader Italian–Indonesian industrial ties involved.
-
![Five years on: where could opportunities emerge next for AUKUS Pillar II?]()
Five years on: where could opportunities emerge next for AUKUS Pillar II?
Payload commonality, combat systems and electronic warfare are emerging as likely priorities as the trilateral partnership balances building submarines with sharing industrial ecosystems.
