**France Orders New Nuclear Carrier** France has launched the build of a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, President Emmanuel Macron announced during a Christmas event with French troops deployed in the United Arab Emirates.
The vessel will displace around 80,000 tonnes, measure 310 metres in length and 85 metres in beam. It will accommodate 30 combat aircraft and up to 2,000 crew members. The project is estimated to cost EUR 10 billion. The new carrier will nearly double the displacement of the current Charles de Gaulle. Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin confirmed the vessel is scheduled for commissioning in 2038. Work is expected to progress at French naval shipyards, with subsequent phases encompassing detailed design, construction and system integration.