"While warfare is changing, France has and will have armies ready for the perils of the century", these are the words of Macron during a visit to the Mont-de-Marsan air base in southwestern France.1
On Friday 20 January, the French president put forward the proposal for a substantial increase, by more than a third up to 2030, of the defense budget, bringing it to 413 billion euros for the period 2024-2030, compared to 295 billion euros for the period 2019 -2025. France's military budget has reached 1,9% of gross domestic product in 2021 and the goal is to reach the 2% within the 2025.
The budget would particularly affect the nuclear arsenal as well as the considerable increase (about 60%) of intelligence expenditure, the doubling of the number of reservists and the implementation of defenses against cyber attacks.
France is the only EU country (of 27 members) with nuclear weapons and Macron does not hide his interest in the development of nuclear power: "Nuclear deterrence is an element that makes France different from other European countries. We see again, analyzing the war in Ukraine, its vital importance".
France does not hide its imperialist nature and even in the face of failures it does not limit its being a "parsley" of Europe. On the contrary, she continually strives to want to play a leading role at all costs, always and in any case in sharp contrast with our country.
What a state that ousts the head of military intelligence might look like2 for failing to predict the Russian invasion last February, accusing him of "inadequate briefings" and "lack of mastery of the subject"? For some "serious", for others "villainous".
Hence, therefore, the transalpines look at the Russian-Ukrainian conflict not only as a threat on their doorstep but also as an "opportunity" to promote an important role in the dispute and to acquire power in the community and in international geopolitics. The French government's desire for a more reactive army ready for rapid and efficient deployment supported by high-performance logistics and cutting-edge weapons proves it.
Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, called the proposal to increase the defense budget, one "historic sum" comparing it to the effort made in 1960 when it transformed "the army model and the race to make France an autonomous nuclear power was undertaken". Lecornu also reaffirms France's will to remain a world power and that the law for the increase in defense spending has "two objectives: to protect ourselves, even in the face of new threats, and to project ourselves abroad, with our allies, to defend our security and our values".
The project must be voted on by parliament and even if Macron does not have a majority in the two houses of parliament, he has confidence in conservative and far-right parties as well as military leaders who have long complained of the reduction of their budgets.
While defense officials meeting in Ramstein on Friday did not convince Germany to supply Ukraine with tanks, we recall that France has already sent 18 guns to Ukraine Caesar, six TRF1 guns, two air defense systems Crotale, rocket launchers, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, armored vehicles, ammunition and it is reportedly will also send AMX-10 RC armored fighting and surveillance vehicles. In addition, he expects to train at least two thousand Ukrainian soldiers in the near future.
Meanwhile, the French have signed a contract with Thales and Sebena Technics for the modernization of the CN235 military transport fleet. Latest generation avionics derived from the suite will be provided TopDeck used on commercial aircraft and a new version of the radio altimeter will protect the aircraft from 5G interference ensuring safety and high performance.
Yannick Assouad, executive vice president of Thales said that "the CN-235 avionics upgrade will give the French forces a new technological edge. Increased capabilities, increased fleet availability and a life extension beyond 2040 will bring real operational benefits to the French Armed Forces."3.
1 reuters
2 General Eric Vidaud
3 thalesgroup.com
Photo: Élysee
