- Select a language for the TTS:
- UK English Female
- UK English Male
- US English Female
- US English Male
- Australian Female
- Australian Male
- Language selected: (auto detect) - EN
Play all audios:
PLANS FOR A €3.5 BILLION NUCLEAR AIRCRAFT CARRIER TO ADD TO FRANCE’S FLEET MAY BE SHELVED DUE TO COST-CUTTING. Plans to build a second nuclear-powered aircraft carrier may be put on hold
because of a lack of funds, defence minister Hervé Morin has said. The Charles de Gaulle (pictured) is the only serving French aircraft carrier and the country’s first nuclear-powered
surface vessel. Mr Morin said: “It is clear that the budgetary situation concerning the equipment of our forces makes the construction of a second aircraft carrier difficult. "It's
a decision that we will have to take in the coming weeks," he said, adding: "The president of the republic will decide." Sarkozy had mooted the building of a second French
aircraft carrier as early as February last year when he was campaigning for the presidency. It could be built with British cooperation and is likely to cost €3.5 billion, according to recent
French parliamentary estimate. Photo: www.netmarine.net.
