France is set to order a third EMALS catapult to equip the French Navy’s future PA-Ng aircraft carrier, according to the 2026 budget draft.
The funding also includes an upgrade of the Combat Management System (CMS) and is part of a planned defense spending increase proposed by President Emmanuel Macron in July 2025, citing imminent threats such as Russia. The final decision on the number of catapults will be political and made at the highest levels of government.
The PA-Ng program, intended to replace Charles de Gaulle starting in 2038, foresees a 78,000-ton ship, 310 meters long, with capacity for an air group of 30 combat aircraft, as well as other aircraft. The design includes full electrification, integrated superstructure, three EMALS runways, a three-cable AAG system, two hangars, and two deck elevators with a capacity of 40 tons each. Construction is expected to begin in 2032 in Saint-Nazaire, with transfer to Toulon in 2035 for finishing and the start of sea trials in 2036.
By then, the DGA has already acquired critical equipment worth €600 million, including nuclear reactor components, containment vessels, and secondary steam plants. Compatibility tests between EMALS catapults, AAG systems, and Rafale aircraft are being conducted in the U.S., aiming to increase launch efficiency, including for UCAVs.
According to French authorities, technical advancements and design decisions have been planned to allow simultaneous operation of manned and unmanned aircraft, preparing the PA-Ng for the future of naval aviation.
Source: Naval News | Photo: X @EtatMajorFR | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
