France is preparing to launch the PA-NG aircraft carrier program: a new stage in naval power

 

French shipbuilding company Naval Group has announced that the country plans to place an order for a promising aircraft carrier **PA-NG (Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération)** by the end of 2025. This project will be the largest warship ever built in Europe and is intended to replace the existing nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which has been in service since 2001. Delivery of the new ship is expected by 2038, which will strengthen France's position as one of the leaders in the field of maritime defense.   

The new generation aircraft carrier will be equipped with a nuclear power plant, providing high autonomy and power. Its displacement is estimated at 75,000 tons, which will surpass that of Charles de Gaulle (42,000 tons). The aircraft will be able to accommodate modern Rafale fighter jets, as well as promising unmanned aerial vehicles. The ship will receive an integrated combat control system and improved air and missile defense systems.  

The current flagship of the French navy, Charles de Gaulle, is undergoing modernization, but its operational life is limited. PA-NG will ensure the continuity of France's aircraft carrier capability, enhancing strategic independence and the ability to project power. The new ship will become the basis for operations in the open ocean and support the country's global interests.    

The PA-NG is being developed jointly with British and American partners, especially in terms of creating electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) and aircraft launch systems. This will allow France to introduce advanced technologies similar to those used on American Ford-class aircraft carriers.  

The creation of PA-NG underscores France's ambitions to strengthen defense independence in the face of growing geopolitical instability. The ship will also strengthen the country's role in coalition operations and demonstrate the technical potential of the European shipbuilding industry.  

Collision of the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman with a merchant ship in the Mediterranean Sea: An incident without consequences

 American nuclear aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman

On Thursday, the Pentagon announced the collision of the American nuclear aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman with the merchant freighter Besiktas-M in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the severity of such incidents, the US Navy assured that the aircraft carrier was not in danger, and there were no casualties among the crew. This case drew attention to both the safety of navigation and the operational readiness of the largest warships.

The accident occurred in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea when the USS Harry S. Truman was carrying out routine operations in the region. The Besiktas-M cargo ship, owned by a Turkish company, was en route between the ports of the region. According to preliminary data, the collision was minor, and the damage to both vessels was limited to Cosmetic damage. 

U.S. Navy officials stressed that the aircraft carrier's autonomous security systems remained operational, and its nuclear reactor was not at risk. The command quickly conducted an initial assessment of the ship's condition, after which the USS Harry S. Truman continued to perform tasks.

One of the main priorities in such situations is to ensure the safety of personnel. In this case, there were no reports of injuries or threats to the health of the crew members. This was made possible by the high level of training of the team and the effective response to sudden situations.

The technical condition of the USS Harry S. Truman also does not cause concern. The aircraft carrier is equipped with a variety of systems that allow it to withstand various external influences, including possible collisions with other vessels. Despite the fact that the incident required additional verification, experts believe that the ship will be able to perform its tasks without significant delays.

Although the details of the causes of the collision are still being clarified, such incidents usually occur due to errors in navigation, human factors or difficult weather conditions. In this case, both vessels were in an actively used waterway, where the traffic of ships is particularly dense. The Mediterranean Sea is a strategically important area through which many trade routes pass, which increases the likelihood of such incidents.

The US Navy command has already launched an investigation to determine the exact causes of the incident. The results of this analysis will help prevent similar situations from happening again in the future. In addition, they can contribute to the revision of protocols for the interaction of military and civilian vessels in areas of high density of maritime traffic.

Such incidents always attract the attention of the international community, especially if large warships are involved. However, in this case, the absence of serious consequences made it possible to avoid widespread diplomatic tensions. Nevertheless, this case has become an occasion for discussing the safety of navigation in general.

The Turkish side, which owns the Besiktas-M cargo ship, has not yet made official statements. It is assumed that joint consultations will be held between the United States and Turkey to coordinate further actions.

The USS Harry S. Truman is one of ten nuclear—powered aircraft carriers of the Nimitz class, which is a key element of the US forces in ensuring global security. Its presence in the Mediterranean Sea demonstrates the United States' willingness to defend its interests in a region where a number of potential hotbeds of tension persist.

Despite the incident, the aircraft carrier continues to fulfill its main mission, maintaining stability and security in the region. This confirms the high reliability and stability of the ship even in unforeseen situations.