How will France defend itself tomorrow? In a global geopolitical grammar upset by the war in ukraineEmmanuel Macron presented the outline of the new National Strategic Review (RNS), from a military building in the port of Toulon.
The RNS, which should summarize the main lines of the French defense policy, must feed the reflection on the means to be implemented in the next military planning law (LPM) 2024-2030, which promises to continue the budgetary effort in defense started in 2017 Here’s what to remember from the speech of the Head of State.
New model of the army. “The aggression of Ukraine risks prefiguring in the future greater geopolitical rivalries, which we have no reason to accept with fatalism, and which we do not intend to suffer passively”, began the leader of the state, thus justifying “an update of our vision of threat “. The army’s” 2030 model “will therefore not be what we” wanted in 2022, “he added. It should allow us to address” a possible return of high-intensity interstate conflict “and” hybrid strategies ” cyber and information warfare.
Nuclear deterrence, “the backbone of our security”. Emmanuel Macron assured that the French nuclear deterrent also “contributed” to the “security” of Europe, thus clarifying recent statements that seemed to question this question. ON France 2 on 12 October, he had in fact declared that a nuclear attack “in the region” of Ukraine, potentially involving the European member countries of NATO, did not fall within the “fundamental interests” of France. “Today, more than ever, France’s vital interests have a European dimension. Our nuclear forces therefore contribute their very existence to the security of France and Europe, “he said Wednesday.
Cyber defense at the height of the challenges. Europe is no longer safe “from missile and drone attacks”, estimates the Head of State. “We have opponents who haven’t always been. (…) Within five years, we should have a first-class cyber defense force.
Strengthen European cooperation. “We intend to strengthen our partnerships with the various countries of Europe,” Macron said, citing in particular Belgium and Germany. It will also be necessary to “establish new partnerships, with Italy, Greece or Croatia”, he added. France will have to propose “new forms of innovative cooperation”. “The Europe of Defense strengthens NATO”, assured Emmanuel Macron. “In this alliance we will continue to play the role of exemplary ally, capable of ensuring the role of the framework nation and, if necessary, of ensuring the defense of Europe’s eastern flank. “
A defense summit with the UK. France and the UK will hold a summit on defense issues in the first quarter of 2023, the president announced, calling for the strengthening of relations. “I would like us to resume dialogue with England, a friend and ally country. (…) Our collaboration must be taken to another level, ”he said.
End of Barkhane. The President also took advantage of his speech to make an official pronouncement the end of Barkhane’s anti-jihadist operation in the Sahel, just under three months after the withdrawal of French forces from Mali and while France still has around 3,000 soldiers deployed in Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso. “Our military support to the African countries of the region will continue, but according to the new principles we have defined with them”, indicated the Head of State. Now it is a question of focusing on “cooperation and support”, in terms of equipment, training or intelligence with partner countries. “This strategy will be finalized within six months,” he assured him.
The “influence” will henceforth be a “strategic function” in Defense. “We will not be patient bystanders”, witnessing the spread of false information or narratives hostile to France, and “convincing is clearly part of the strategic needs”, declared the president, announcing that this struggle will be equipped with “substantial means”. “We have to think about promoting our cause and a defensive attitude could pass for a form of passivity. It will not be ours. Influence will be a strategic function and will have a central role “, assured the Head of State.
War economy. “The time has come for a more integral mobilization (…), to move to the place of warning”, declared the Head of State, believing that France should place itself in “a position of war economy”. “In the context of a high-intensity conflict that directly affects us, it is a real economic and industrial mobilization that we must have already thought about. Back in June Emmanuel Macron had asked defense producers to commit themselves to produce ever faster, at controlled costs, to cope with the new global geopolitical situation.
Resilience. “The spirit of resilience and planning must irrigate our ministries,” said the Head of State, who said he particularly relied on the French reserve, civic services, as well as “our great universal national service project” to address “Logistical, energy, environmental, information, cultural and psychological threats”. “It is not about militarizing society, but about building the spirit of resilience,” he insisted.