Today we dive into the strategic evolution of France’s military independence and its profound impact on European defense. Explore how France’s historic skepticism toward American dominance in NATO sparked a journey toward self-reliance that is reshaping European military strategies today. From Charles de Gaulle’s visionary policies to modern France’s role as a global defense leader, this video unpacks the narrative of European defense autonomy.
What We’ll Cover:
Historic Shifts: How France’s withdrawal from NATO’s integrated command under Charles de Gaulle set the stage for European military self-reliance
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Modern Implications: The relevance of France’s approach in today’s geopolitical climate, particularly against the backdrop of recent challenges posed by global leaders.
France’s Defense Products:
Dassault Rafale Fighter Jet: A cornerstone of French military exports, renowned for its advanced capabilities and recent upgrades.
Leclerc XLR Tank: France’s latest innovation in armored warfare, featuring cutting-edge anti-drone technology and a remote-controlled turret.
Barracuda Class Submarines: Critical to France’s naval strategy, offering enhanced stealth and combat features.
CAESAR Self-Propelled Howitzer: A highly mobile artillery system that has seen significant demand due to its proven effectiveness.
Economic Impact: Analysis of how France’s focus on local defense procurement has bolstered its economy and defense industry.
European Defense Collaboration: Insights into how France’s initiatives are influencing other European nations towards a more integrated defense posture.
Join us as we delve into how France’s strategic autonomy has not only enhanced its own defense capabilities but also encouraged a broader European movement towards self-reliance. Understand the key products and technologies driving France’s defense strategy, their impact on global markets, and what this means for the future of NATO and European defense cooperation.
Music by MaxKoMusic – https://maxkomusic.com
All pictures and logos sourced from open sources or with the consent from the owner or rights holder, or with the implicit right of fair use.
#france #canada #europe
35 Comments
In this video I talk about how Trump Losing Europe's arms market will cost the US astronomically, it seems popular – so it might be worth your time: https://youtu.be/UCPtt7PC1fc Have a great weekend, mes amis. And, please bear in mind that if you swear in the comments youtube automatically removes the comment, so let's keep it in a civil European tone, no?
Fully agree… EU must wake up and if it'll be sharing competencies within it'll reshape the game for sure. EU has all expertise and quality, only a question of aligning on mid term strategy
trumps america is very untrustworthy.
sadly its a thing of the past. Starting with Giscard Estaing and accelerating with Sarkozy, France's elites have entirely sold the country to the EU (ergo: Germany) There is no more independant France. If you speak french, watch cercle aristote if it interests you.
French here… the sadest thing here is that germans and french tanks are one of the best in the world… german anti-air are one of the best in the world…. French planes are one of the best in the world…. English and French missile are one of th best in the world…. English and French navy are one of the best in the world…. French artillery are one of he best in the world…. So why the fuck do we relate on the USA for our security…. wtf 😅😢
finally people are understanding that being a nato shill just makes your country weak and certifies a third world war if any of its constituents gets in a war
The French predicted the consequences of US involvement in Vietnam and Iraq, because they understood political realities of the regions. And they’re right about the current military situation in Europe. Vlad the Impaler may be a mongrel, but he knows his history. Trump needs to read some history, but don’t hold your breath.
De Gaulle was a very clever man, he saw things most didn't even glimpse.
Anything can "get a lock on an f35", the issue is how close it would need to be in order to do that. I suspect the F35 would have a lock on the Rafale many miles earlier, fired its missiles, turned around, and wouldn't be seen.
The United States will wake up one day and find itself entirely alone in the world.. No one will want to buy its overpriced military hardware anymore, certainly not from a thug state that elects a convicted felon to its highest office.
From George Patton WW2 American General, "I'd rather have a German division in front of me, than a French one behind".
if nothing else… the war in Ukraine has show that we can't depend on the US any longer…
they're slow, weird, and can even be dangerous… let them try this new trend ''isolatism'' they talk about… we'll still be friends, but we need to stand on our own feet
We are Europeans…!
Yes it’s all fun and games, until the Europeans start world wars against each other, and then expect the Americans to bail them out. 😺
Nostradamus did predict that France would become a super power…. I don't know how many of his predictions actually came true, but I know France is credited with inventing guillotines.
I'm Canadian but I love the European Union and I think they should stand on their own build their own weapons invest in their own industry and obviously as we all know America is not a country you can trust
A factor you have to consider is even in a stable foreign relation America- France always has an interest in reducing American defense exports because its always a big producer and wants to sell its products instead. "Europe defense self reliance" is ideally "Europe relies on france for defense production.
The main issue is compared to the USA, Russia's & even Germany's proven AFV production and support capacity France's doesn't hold a candle. In a real conflict, France's ~900 Leclerc's ~700 VBCIs is not what you want. With slow production ramp up potential and minimal stock piles. Compare that to the Abrams and Bradley with ~10000 and ~6000 produced respectively. With hundreds if not thousands in reserve ready to be refurbished and brought to where they're needed.
I never understood why most EU countries are sooooo into usa
French here. A lot of smart strategic decisions (betting on nuclear energy, develop nuclear weapons & independent platforms, pro natalist policies to limit population aging) were taken back in the 60's & 70's. Next governments mostly followed this trend (also Hollande tried to start scaling back on nuclear power in the mid 2010's to please the ecologists).
There was a lot of crap taken for some of these stances being poor investments, including in political debates within the country. The general perception in the 90's & 2000's was how, we should budget like Germany. All of a sudden we're in the 2020's: fertility rate while short of 2.1 is top of the pack for the region. The war in Ukraine has made nuclear energy sexy again, the need to have an operating military force is obvious and Macron's push back in 2018 all of a sudden has more attentive ears. And now Trump is doing his best to illustrate why having an independent military industrial capacity is vital. I mean, everything is far from rosy and we can complain about a lot of stuff (not that it's in our nature… 😉), but we can thank our forefathers who had the vision and took the right decisions at the right time.
France was selling wine worldwide even before the US existed. Putting tariffs on French wine was quite the stupid move.
Self reliance is fine, but is a fine line as you also dont want to push your allies away…as much as you hate them. Also France should be thankful for getting its ass saved in WWII.
Aussie feeling cringey here.
Paul Keating is right! Australia needs better relations with countries in her own region…and with China! Australia needs to remilitarise her defensive and offensive capabilities!
And that's why France no longer even has its own assault rifle. Truly independent.
We need a strong France-Germany alliance. The better if the UK would be in it. If the current turmoils in german and french politics continue, Europe will be definitely fucked, and definitely. Wake up, EU !!
Yet france has to rely on HK for all its weapons because it let all its firearms industry fail. They have to buy Germany built AR-15's lol
Europeans are scared now 😂
France has never been right about anything.
Aight cool then, both sides can be happy, americans wont have to spend money and men on foreign nations and we europeans can finally go back to being self reliant and hopefully get back our own status as a global world power.
😎
Yep. France and South Korea are right.
UK, Japan, and Germany should keep and prop up their own "military industrial complex". When it comes to national security, NEVER be dependent on someone else. That was fatal mistake.
On the other hand, Trump is not wrong either. Why would US taxpayers have to protect rich European countries from "Russian aggression" by sending tens of billions to Ukraine? That's insane. IMO US govt should disengage from Europe, Asia, and Middle East. UK & EU should deal with Russia, while Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan should deal with China.
As US mainland itself is secure from Chinese and Russian threat, IMO there's no need for the US to "protect" rich countries in Europe and East Asia. They can (and must) take care of themselves. USA should be refocus itself on securing the Americas (Latin America) and space exploration.
1000% correct. Europe needs to stand on its own two feet. Produces its own weapons systems and coordinate its own responses without US involvement.
The purchase of F35s was a monumental mistake as they require an activation code from America in order to operate.
France is right an ally wouldnt invade an allied nation like denmark (greenland). We are part of the american empire and we didnt even realised. If not just look how many american military bases are in Europe. They drag us into stupid wars like irak and make us take the refugees after the destruction of their country.
MEGA !!!
"Danish PM says Europe must stand together as Trump threatens Greenland" – well I guess they'd rather rely on their Israeli-made guns that replaced their Ceasars… And if not enough, they can ask Australia to help with their US-made submarines 😉
Unfortunately, France is bankrupt, so it wouldnt take much, a slight tip, for them to fold, AGAIN… nobody, especially in the Baltics, or Eastern Europe would rely on France for their defense, or hitch their wagon to theirs… you’d end up in a ditch, but quick