France is considering keeping its sole aircraft carrier in service after her planned 2038 retirement, potentially until 2040.
French Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Christophe Cluzel outlined the work to extend the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle’s service life at a hearing of the National Assembly's defence committee earlier this month.
Conclusions are expected in early 2029, and no decision has been made on extending the carrier's service life.
The assessment is linked to the ship's forthcoming major refit and will examine her nuclear propulsion, the usable life of her fuel, and the condition of auxiliary machinery and other onboard systems.
"These studies will also cover all of the carrier's arteries, because the carrier is as old as its arteries, and its availability must not ultimately hinge on or be compromised by the availability of even a single auxiliary system," Cluzel said.
The successor carrier, France Libre, is scheduled to begin sea trials in 2036 and enter operational service in 2038. The current programme provides for a two-year overlap, during which both ships could be at sea and two carrier crews would be on active duty.
"The transition on a capability like this has to happen without any break, at the risk of losing skills and taking a very, very long time to rebuild them," Cluzel said.
Keeping Charles de Gaulle in service until 2040, after France Libre becomes operational, would reduce gaps in French carrier aviation when one ship is in maintenance. The issue arose when National Assembly member Daniel Grenon asked whether a single carrier was sufficient for high-intensity warfare.
Cluzel said two carriers would allow a standing alert to be maintained from Toulon, while a permanent presence at sea would require three.
"Two carriers is a political ambition, and it's not for me to decide on its suitability," Cluzel said.
Charles de Gaulle's next major overhaul is expected to begin in April 2027 and last 18 to 24 months.
The 261.5-metre, 42,000-tonne carrier entered service in 2001. She is powered by two K15 pressurised-water reactors and can embark 40 aircraft.
