According to Stratfor.com
"French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he will probably delay a decision on ordering a new aircraft carrier by as much as four years, to 2011 or 2012, to keep defense spending in check, Bloomberg reported May 27. In April, French Defense Minister Herve Morin said Sarkozy would make the decision within weeks. Sarkozy also said May 27 that France will have to close some of its 182 military bases across the country. He pledged funds to assist cities and businesses that will suffer from the closures."
France will have to make due with one carrier for sometime.
This delay or if France opts out all together is certain to mean increased costs for the UK as a deal with France had them paying ofor access to the UK designs. |