The likelihood of naval conflicts and fighting with the participation of the Navy has increased significantly against the background of the current military conflict in Ukraine, NATO maritime forces must be prepared for any surprises. This was stated by the chief of staff of the French navy, Admiral Pierre Vandieu, in an interview with the American edition of Defense News, published the day before, on October 16.
“In a world in turmoil, what will profoundly define the Navy in the coming years is the greater likelihood of a confrontation at sea, which places naval combat as a working hypothesis”, he says.
Vandier believes that the French Navy must make advances in technology, “build forces where it is reasonable and possible” and also ensure the fleet’s ability to “keep in battle”.
“The increase in the number of threats and the willingness of our competitors (to carry them out) means we have to train harder. The changes in the world mean that we must be prepared for surprises, upheavals, collapses, everything that is considered incredible today. “ said the admiral.
Speaking of the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, he noted that France, even as a Pacific power, looks “beyond the continental horizon of Europe”. The admiral stressed the importance of coalition work at sea and cooperation within the EU and NATO to achieve “interoperability”.
