When I did a video on the German military around 10 months ago, I made one off hand joke unfavourably comparing the Bundeswehr to the French military on a cost-capability basis.

Given the storm of email I got after posting that video, I feel confident saying that there may be a strong perception on the internet that France is a nation lacking in serious military heft, both now and historically.

The reality is that France has long been one of Europe's major military powers, and while no longer the great power it was before WW1, France remains nearly unique among European States for a number of reasons, ranging from being the only Nuclear armed EU state, to being one of the few nations around the world with the ability to meaningfully project power internationally, supported by carrier aviation.

In this video I look at the French military and military industry as they currently stand, but also at what Paris' future plans tell us about the way the French military (and economy) are likely to evolve in response to the war in Ukraine and rising international tensions.

Because with France, rearmament isn't just about building up a powerful national defence, but about relentlessly pursuing 'Strategic Autonomy'

Patreon:
  / perunau  

Caveats & Comments:
All usual caveats apply - with the point reiterated that comparing platform and system counts between militaries is fraught with issues. It is done here to illustrate a point but should always be done with caution.

I'd also like to emphasise that when discussing historical events, that discussion should never be taken to constitute endorsement - I may talk for example about the Suez crisis for example without endorsing any of the parties that were involved. It may seem a simple point but I've seen that become an issue on YT in the past so wanted to make it explicit..

Reading and Sources:

Note that this is much abridged as I do no have access to my original source list while in transit - it will be updated in the coming week

Platform figures as per MB2022 &, in some instances, official key figures published 2021
https://www.defense.gouv.fr/sites/def...

Indo-Pacific Strategy:
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pd...

For reference - 2021 strategic update
https://www.stjornarradid.is/library/...

Macron calls for 'war economy'
https://www.france24.com/en/france/20...

English version of the 2022 review:
https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/document/29...

Reporting on increased production of CAESAR
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/art....

Macron to send military program law to Assembly
https://www.defensenews.com/global/eu...

Timestamps:
00:00:00 -- FRENCH DEFENCE STRATEGY & REARMAMENT
00:01:38 -- WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT?
00:03:10 -- FRENCH MILITARY HISTORY
00:08:05 -- napoleon's France
00:15:07 -- cold war France
00:17:03 -- FRENCH STRATEGIC POSITION
00:19:09 -- setting goals
00:23:15 -- THREATS AND OBJECTIVES
00:25:46 -- THE FRENCH MILITARY
00:34:12 -- FRENCH NUCLEAR CAPABILITIES
00:45:02 -- A FRENCH ADVANTAGE?
00:46:40 -- selected French and German equipment graph
00:48:11 -- how?
00:55:07 -- INDUSTRY & SYSTEMS
00:58:35 -- European giants
01:02:56 -- protecting export
01:06:04 -- FRANCE'S PLANNED TRANSFORMATION
01:09:04 -- economic preparation
01:12:02 -- FRANCE AND "STRATEGIC AUTONOMY"
01:12:17 -- pursuit of autonomy
01:13:49 -- the challenges of autonomy
01:16:03 -- CONCLUSIONS
01:17:41 -- CHANNEL UPDATE