Macron, on UAE visit, announces new French aircraft carrier
Ground News1 day
France Approves New Nuclear Aircraft Carrier by 2038
Is France's massive nuclear carrier essential for security, or a misguided prestige project amid budget crisis?
Above: French Rafale Marine fighter jets standing on the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in Singapore on March 4. Image credit: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
France must build this massive nuclear carrier to project strength against in an age of rising existential threat. The 80,000-tonne warship will make France a feared maritime power, dwarfing European neighbors and rivaling China's capabilities. Despite budget concerns, national security demands this investment in military dominance.
Government-critical narrative
This carrier project diverts billions from pressing military needs while France faces potential European conflict with Russia. The timing couldn't be worse given the budgetary deadlock gripping the nation's economy. Even military leaders are questioning whether other defense priorities should come first instead of this prestige project.