Highlights
– Sarkozy touts commitment to transformation of the country’s military into a smaller, more mobile force
– A reduction in military personnel will allow France to better finance intelligence gathering; more effectively anticipate threats France seeks more advanced equipment for purposes of deploying combat forces quickly and efficiently to all corners of the world
On June 17, 2008, President Nicolas Sarkozy outlined France’s defense priorities for the next 15 years. In a grand move Sarkozy unveiled plans to overhaul the country’s defense and security strategy, the first time in 14 years.
France’s new defense doctrine seeks to prepare the country and Europe for a post-Soviet world in which conventional military threats have largely been downgraded, compared to a wide range of complex, global risks, from disease epidemics to terrorism to cyber-warfare.
Military Changes
In an effort to reduce the size of its military, France is cutting redundant support jobs. Most of the reductions will come from the standing army and its noncombatant support services, with the hopes of reversing the current 60-40 ratio of support to combat personnel.
More than 50,000 military jobs will be cut in the next six to seven years, with the savings being reinvested in intelligence and modernized equipment. In time, the land army should number 131,000 military and civilian staff, compared to 154,000 at present. The air force is expected to employ 50,000 rather than the current 65,000. Lastly, the navy aims to have 44,000 staff compared with 54,000 it currently employs. The number of French troops available for missions abroad will fall from 50,000 to 30,000. The defense cuts will result in the closure of several bases at home and abroad, particularly in Africa, leaving some to question France’s long-term commitment to the continent.
France’s defense budget hovers around US$57.3 billion a year. The country currently spends about 2.3 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, but that is expected to drop to 2 percent over the next 12 years. In Western Europe as a whole, European countries’ active troop levels have dropped 12 percent and total defense spending has increased 2.6 percent.
The reduction in military personnel will in theory allow defense forces to be more mobile, better equipped, and better trained. France’s new defense strategy goes along with the larger trend in Europe where the commitment, particularly in Western Europe, is committed to a force transformation where militaries are better equipped and have fewer soldiers.
Generally, there will be a new focus on intelligence and on the early warnings of threats, such as the preparation for possible attacks from chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. Additionally, there are growing concerns abound from ballistic missiles, which come at a time when rogue countries such as Iran are developing long-range missiles that are capable of reaching Europe.
Rejoining NATO?
On June 17, 2008, President Sarkozy created political waves when he announced France would reintegrate into the military wing of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as long as there was progress in developing a European defense and security policy that could carry out European Union (EU) missions outside the American-led NATO alliance.
Despite raising the idea that France is willing to rejoin the military command of the alliance, officials have made it clear that the country would preserve its independent nuclear deterrent outside any alliance structure and that France would ultimately allow its troops to serve permanently under any foreign office.
A clear shift in French foreign policy has occurred since the start of President Sarkozy’s term, as the French leader has taken a more pro-United States (US) stance and has often underscored the importance of the Franco-American relationship. Because of this, closer ties between NATO and France, particularly on the military front, were anticipated. However, enhanced ties between France and the alliance would have to be in line with EU efforts to build up its own security and defense capacity.
Outlook
President Sarkozy’s 15-year military plan aims to deepen France’s involvement with its NATO and European allies in the fight against post-9/11 threats. According to Sarkozy, the most immediate threat to France is terrorism, and the country must restructure its forces so the country retains the capability to rapidly deploy forces to global hot spots when threats emerge, whether it is participating in global counter terrorism efforts, humanitarian missions, peacekeeping operations, or stabilization efforts.
Before Sarkozy was able to address the 3,000 senior military commanders in Paris, his bold military changes were criticized as an effort to downgrade the country’s military. Critics accused Sarkozy of pandering to the US, particularly over France’s decision to enhance ties with NATO.
However, according to defense experts, the military overhaul is long overdue and the French are simply following the United Kingdom’s (UK) lead in military transformation. The French are trying to catch up with Britain by applying the new strategy in dealing with both domestic and international threats, with a strong emphasis on lighter, more mobile forces.
Like that of the US and UK, Sarkozy has announced a 15-year military plan that commits France’s military to a force transformation to a smaller, better-equipped force capable of dealing with 21st century threats. While maintaining nuclear deterrence as a cornerstone of defense strategy, France will also put a new stress on improving intelligence and boosting security at home. The transformation to a smaller, more mobile army will ultimately lead to a more active France in combating global conflicts, as well as leading to better ties with NATO.
