France Starts Production of the First Nuclear Reactor for new Aircraft Carrier

France has started production of the key elements of the nuclear reactor for the future PA NG aircraft carrier.

This includes the manufacture of metal shells for two K22 reactor units that will power the ship, according to the French publication opex360.

The official approval of the project is expected to be signed by the end of 2025. This will allow the construction of the ship itself to begin in 2031 at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard under the leadership of the MO Porte-avions joint venture, created by Naval Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Despite the political uncertainty and budgetary risks, the newly appointed French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who previously headed the Ministry of Armed Forces, categorically ruled out any postponement of this strategic project. In a speech to the Senate in June, he emphasized that maintaining competence in the military nuclear field was critical.

“Mastering nuclear propulsion from A to Z is not a mass sport. We have talked a lot about the loss of know-how in civilian nuclear energy, but we have never lost anything in military nuclear energy, whether in pure deterrence or propulsion. But we should not deceive ourselves: four reactors for four ballistic missile submarines, six reactors for six attack submarines is very fair. Two reactors for PA NG is what is needed to maintain competence,” Lecornu said.

Although the project has not yet been approved, the French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) has already ordered a number of components related to the nuclear power plant. Due to the complexity of production, these elements must be ready before the start of the ship’s construction, so their production started in advance.

In particular, on September 25th, the first metal plate for the K22 reactor vessel shells was welded at the Naval Group’s plant in Cherbourg.

According to the technical specifications, each vessel will be 14 meters high, 13 meters in diameter and weigh about 1,300 tons. These are the largest components of this type in the history of French nuclear offshore power.

The design is being carried out by TechnicAtome under the supervision of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). Production begins with the most difficult part.

PA NG

The future PA NG aircraft carrier will be 310 meters long and 85 meters wide at flight deck level. Its displacement at full load will be 78,000 tons.

Thanks to EMALS electromagnetic catapults, it will be able to launch and receive aircraft simultaneously – unlike the current Charles de Gaulle.

Two K22 reactor units will provide the ship with a cruising speed of up to 27 knots. The PA NG is scheduled to enter service with the French Navy in 2038.