French Navy at Euronaval: 4 next-gen SSBNs, carrier due 2038

The French Navy outlined a force plan spanning nuclear deterrence, aircraft carriers and counter-drone capabilities at the opening conference of Euronaval 2026, a naval defense exhibition held in Paris (Euronaval 2026: French Navy Underpins Enduring Missions with New Capabilities to Counter Emerging Threats).

In nuclear deterrence, it presented four next-generation Invincible-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), the SNLE-3G, along with the M51.3 and M51.4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). Among crisis-response forces, France Libre, from the next-generation aircraft carrier program PaNG, is scheduled for delivery in 2038, and a second ship is under discussion. The new FDI frigates, led by the lead ship Amiral Ronarc’h, were presented as a “capability turning point.” Of the four Jacques Chevalier-class fleet replenishment tankers (BRF), two have been delivered and the third has been launched.

In maritime protection, the first of seven planned offshore patrol vessels (Patrouilleur hauturier) was launched in February 2026. In information superiority, France’s defense procurement agency, the DGA (Direction générale de l’armement), is leading development of surveillance, command-and-control and digital architecture, and the DGA was said to have developed a counter-UAS program in two months. Alexandre Lahousse, a deputy official at the DGA, and Rear Adm. Hugues Laine, the Navy’s deputy chief of staff for air operations, were named as speakers. Laine pointed out that maritime situational awareness is difficult because of the vast sea areas, the limits of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and underwater acoustic conditions.

With nuclear deterrent submarines, a carrier, frigates, tankers, patrol vessels and counter-drone capabilities all presented at once, the briefing shows which capabilities the French Navy is prioritizing. The carrier’s 2038 delivery date suggests that managing capability gaps is a long-term challenge. This report summarizes the conference presentations and does not include budget figures or detailed schedules.

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