US undecided on steam catapult return, French Navy chief says

France's naval chief said the United States has not finalized a return to steam catapults and that he sees no threat to France's electromagnetic launch-system contract. The statement follows President Trump's August instruction to abandon electromagnetic catapults, raising supply questions for the future carrier France Libre. France plans a substantial initial spare-parts stock for the US-supplied equipment on the ship, expected to replace Charles de Gaulle around 2038. A French study due in 2028 will assess domestic catapult development, costs and timelines, although the navy chief expects that alternative to arrive after the carrier's planned service entry.