French Military Reforms and Strategy
Abstract
French military downsizing and reconfiguring is part of a NATO-wide trend. All French forces, including the nuclear force de frappe, are affected. Three factors are shaping French and European post-Cold War militaries: 1) disappearance of the Soviet Union; 2) budgetary pressures, especially competition between security needs and European integration needs (meeting the Maastricht "Convergence Criteria"); and 3) new missions replacing the Cold War outlook. The military issue for France is whether the planned, professionalized, rapid-reaction forces will be adequate to post-Cold War missions, or whether downsizing and budget problems will result in a hollowed-out military. Success will depend on relaunching strong economic growth and on the Chirac government's determination to see through tensions between security and integration until the single European currency is launched and less constrained budgetary times return.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA394167
Entities
People
- Ronald Tiersky
Organizations
- National Defense University