France's Ministry of the Armed Forces has stated that US President Donald Trump's decision to return to steam catapults on a future US Navy aircraft carrier poses no risk to the electromagnetic launch systems planned for France's next-generation aircraft carrier. In a statement issued on August 15, 2026, the ministry confirmed that no technical or industrial risks have been identified regarding the manufacturing and long-term maintenance of the catapult systems for France Libre.
The clarification follows an August 13, 2026 presidential memorandum in which Trump directed the US Department of Defense to formulate a plan within 60 days to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) on the fourth Gerald R. Ford-class carrier, USS Doris Miller, with steam catapults. The French ministry noted that the first three Gerald R. Ford-class carriers retain their EMALS equipment, ensuring that the associated industrial supply chain and maintenance infrastructure remain active.
France Libre, previously designated as the Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération (PANG), is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier designed around three EMALS launch tracks and an Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system. Scheduled to replace Charles de Gaulle in 2038, the project continues to progress through US defense contracts. In February and March 2026, the US Navy awarded General Atomics contract modifications totaling over $66 million for design review and long-lead materials supporting the French configuration.
To mitigate potential long-term risks associated with reliance on foreign suppliers, French lawmakers adopted an amendment during the 2026 update of the military programming law requiring a feasibility study for a domestic electromagnetic catapult system. France's Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) continues consultations with US counterparts while evaluating domestic technical options to support future naval requirements.
