The 43,000 Ton, Nuclear Aircraft Carrier, Charles De Gaulle.

In the late 1980s, France started construction on the first out of two planned nuclear carriers to replace their current fleet. The construction and development for the first. The Charles de Gaulle took a whopping 14 years due to lack of funds, faulty propellers, a flight deck extension, and inadequate radiation shielding of the nuclear reactor.

Although transferred to the fleet in 2000, the ship didn't attain its full potential until a refit in 2007. In the meantime, the second carrier, known as PA2, was cancelled due to a lack of funds.

To say the ship has received difficulties is an understatement, however, CDG is providing air wing, giving France an independent strategic power projection capability, which is Paris's first and foremost defence policy objective.

France is also planning for a new carrier-class to take over when CDG will be 40 years old. In May 2020, French defence minister Florence Parly announced the commissioning date of 2038 for a new class of aircraft carriers during a visit to Saint-Nazaire.

It is here, in Saint-Nazaire, that the new-generation aircraft carrier will be built, which will succeed the Charles de Gaulle in 2038, Parly said. The new carrier by weight, and due to Naval News, it will also as utilize nuclear momentum.

France has territories and importance around the world and a nuclear-powered ship could steam to a crisis externally stopping to refuel. A nuclear reactor could allow France to install laser weapons and other high-energy weapons on board, both as part of the initial weapons package or down the road in a future upgrade.