The LPM 2024-2030 that will launch the PANG (new generation aircraft carrier) that will succeed the Charles-de-Gaulle has not yet been voted on, but reflections on its name have already been launched. This kick was given to the National Assembly during the discussions on the budget of the armies.
The Minister of the Armed Forces has requested the Historical Defense Service (SHD), which compiles and classifies, to make proposals to the three military authorities, Head of State, Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff and Minister of the Armed Forces, to be innovative
It could be understood that it will be necessary to look elsewhere than in the history of the armies (soldiers or battles) or among those who led the country. France had eight aircraft carriers: Bapeaume (1920-1936), Béarn (1928-1945), Arromanche (1948-1974), La Fayette (1951-1963), Bois Belleau (1953-1960), Clémenceau ( 1961-1997), the Foch (1963-2000) and the Charles de Gaulle still in service.
A female aviator?
Never mind, the LFI-NUPES group filed an “appeal amendment” to propose calling the PANG “Marie Marvingt.” A hero of World War I, she was an aviator, an inventor, a journalist and accomplished sporting feats. The name of her has just been given to the stadium of Le Mans (Sarthe).
Failing to become a “great war” pilot like Georges Guynemer, René Fonck or Charles Nungesser in the Air Force, she still went to the front as a nurse.
Will this proposal be accepted by the SHD? Sébastien Lecornu will maintain this proposal, but pointed out that “the aircraft carrier is a ship” and that it would be necessary “to see if there are no women in the navy.” In fact, the General Staff of the Navy should legitimately have its opinion on these issues of naval onomastics.
The name must not be a matter of division or controversy and must not have been given to a ship that has met a disastrous fate. MEP Nathalie Loiseau tested the exercise on Twitter proposing “Freedom”.
The naval historian Nicolas Mioque responded quickly through his account “Trois_Ponts”: “Like the battleship Liberté that accidentally exploded in Toulon in 1911. Almost 300 dead.”
Do Richelieu justice?
Richelieu’s name often appears on social media. And for good reason, it was the name that had been planned for the Charles de Gaulle in 1986, but Jacques Chirac renamed it a few months later to pay homage to the General. Proof that a presidential election, in the time of François Mitterrand, can be challenged by a newly appointed Prime Minister.
With the PANG, will honors finally be awarded to Louis XIII’s “Grand Master and Superintendent of Navigation”? I’m not so sure since Sébastien Lecornu asks to “get slightly different names”. But also, as you remember le figaroThis proposal was made in 2017 by Marine Le Pen, then a candidate for the presidential elections. This election could then be considered as “division”. Therefore, Richelieu will only be entitled to two ships, a frigate in 1868 and a patrol boat in 1919.
Two names?
On Twitter, the other proposals are numerous. In addition to Richelieu, Napoleon often returns. This character is not appreciated in the world, but especially the English would be quick to remember Trafalgar.
The SHD’s classification job will not be easy, especially since there could be two aircraft carriers. Last week three amendments by Jean-Charles Larsonneur (Horizon), Anne Gennetet (Renaissance) and Fabien Lainé (Modem) were adopted to study the possibility of starting studies before 2028 of a second program for more availability and to realize economies of scale . .
In a rejected amendment, the PS deputy Anna Pic recalled that “a few decades ago, the National Navy had three aircraft carriers: the Foch and the Clemenceau together with the Arromanches”.
Source: BFM TV
