GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily

Charles de Gaulle vs France Libre

Overview

The Charles de Gaulle and the France Libre are both Aircraft carrier classes.

Displacement is 42,500 tons for the Charles de Gaulle vs 80,000 tons for the France Libre. The Charles de Gaulle reaches 27 knots vs 27 knots for the France Libre. The Charles de Gaulle carries a crew of 1,350 vs 2,000 for the France Libre.

The Charles de Gaulle was produced in 1 units vs 1 for the France Libre. The Charles de Gaulle was commissioned in 2001, 37 years before the France Libre (2038).

French aircraft carrier, introduced in 2001, has a displacement of 42,500 tons.
Origin 🇫🇷 France
Category Aircraft carrier
Type Aircraft carrier
Manufacturer DCN
Year introduced 2001
Number built 1 unit
Estimated unit price $3,500 million
France's planned 80,000-ton nuclear carrier with EMALS catapults, replacing the Charles de Gaulle around 2038.
Origin 🇫🇷 France
Category Aircraft carrier
Type Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Manufacturer Naval Group, Chantiers de l'Atlantique
Year introduced 2038
Number built 1 unit
Estimated unit price NA
Displacement 42,500 tons
Maximum speed 27.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 261.5 m
Beam 64.4 m
Crew 1,350
Propulsion 2 × Areva K15 pressurised water reactors (PWR), 150 MWt each; 2 × Alstom steam turbines with a total 61 MW (82,000 hp) shaft power; 4 × diesel-electric; 2 × shafts
Armament
  • 4 × 8 cell A-43 Sylver launchers carrying MBDA Aster 15 missiles
  • 2 × 6 cell Sadral launchers carrying Mistral missiles
  • 8 × Giat 20F2 20 mm cannons
  • 3 × Nexter Narwhal 20mm autocannons
Displacement 80,000 tons
Maximum speed 27.0 knots
Range NA
Length 310.0 m
Beam NA
Crew 2,000
Propulsion 2 × TechnicAtome K22 nuclear reactors (~220 MWth each)
Armament
  • Aster 15 / Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles (planned)
  • RapidFire 40 mm guns (planned)

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Charles de Gaulle-class or France Libre-class?
The France Libre-class has greater displacement at 80,000 tons compared to the Charles de Gaulle-class's 42,500 tons.
Which is faster, the Charles de Gaulle-class or France Libre-class?
The France Libre-class is faster with a maximum speed of 27 knots compared to the Charles de Gaulle-class's 27 knots.
Which has longer range, the Charles de Gaulle-class or France Libre-class?
The Charles de Gaulle-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the France Libre-class has a range of 0 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Charles de Gaulle-class or France Libre-class?
The France Libre-class is longer at 310.0 meters compared to the Charles de Gaulle-class's 261.5 meters.
How many crew members do the Charles de Gaulle-class and France Libre-class have?
The France Libre-class has a larger crew complement of 2,000 compared to the Charles de Gaulle-class's 1,350 crew members.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Charles de Gaulle-class or France Libre-class?
Both the Charles de Gaulle-class and France Libre-class have been built in equal numbers with 1 vessels each.