PA-2 class

A requirement for France to replace the then-current CLEMENCEAU -class aircraft carriers was identified as long ago as the mid-1970s. The first result of this requirement was the nuclear-powered CHARLES DE GAULLE . However, due to the myriad problems of that carrier, and the high cost of nuclear propulsion, in February 2004 a decision was made to build a conventionally powered aircraft carrier to meet the requirement for a second carrier.

Originally planned under the five-year...