The new French carrier: shipyard choice and escort requirements

What is the assessment of plans for the new French aircraft carrier?

The yard and nuclear-carrier plan are viewed favourably, but additional carriers would need a corresponding escort force; a second ship is advocated and predicted conditionally.

Chantiers de l'Atlantique is considered a suitable yard for France's new carrier. Political constraints on Charles de Gaulle's yard choice are offered as an explanation for that earlier ship's limited size and capabilities. Nuclear propulsion and a construction start in 2032 are anticipated. A second carrier is advocated, with roughly three carriers each for Britain and France presented as a preferred force structure. Additional carriers would need appropriate escorts and stronger air defence, illustrated by the Horizon ships and the FREMM variants Alsace and Lorraine. The existing building pace is characterised as suitable for wars of choice, with greater readiness needed for conflicts imposed by events. A sister carrier is predicted conditionally on international tension continuing.