tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post8625614499722164319..comments2024-03-20T12:03:26.126+00:00Comments on Thin Pinstriped Line: Vive L’Hollande? Some thoughts on where French Defence Policy may be headed in the medium term?Sir Humphreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08704774192275240783noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-87406180450642477032012-05-14T19:52:34.070+01:002012-05-14T19:52:34.070+01:00The reality is that the French share the same pres...The reality is that the French share the same pressures as we do. They will have no option but to make cuts as the size of the budget cannot keep pace with increasing costs. The question is, when and how deep?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-4981792367933306982012-05-12T13:17:08.277+01:002012-05-12T13:17:08.277+01:00On the warheads side of things there will be a joi...On the warheads side of things there will be a joint facility<br />... as for missiles, even the US is trying to delay the next-generation Trident as much as they can<br /><br />So isn't everything pretty much set for the next two decades (cutting the deterrent, all or part, is a different matter altogether)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-50266966096595778242012-05-11T21:31:28.833+01:002012-05-11T21:31:28.833+01:00Regarding the French nuclear force and the require...Regarding the French nuclear force and the requirement for France to go it alone for a replacement. Is this strictly true? If the UK finds for some reason that it will not have favourable access to US systems and support, is there a possibility of a joint UK/French project? <br /><br />We have access to US systems through grace of the US Govt in many parts bought by our ability to contribute to US foreign policy .. but as our military is scaled down due to the need to reduce spending, is that really valuable to the US any more? <br /><br />Firstly, how likely is the US to allow the UK to piggyback of it's deterrent ?<br /><br />If the answer to that is less than we would like, is it possible for a UK/French project?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08248167622658540973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-32076403187243755922012-05-10T10:59:35.427+01:002012-05-10T10:59:35.427+01:00"It is hard to envisage a scenario where ther..."It is hard to envisage a scenario where there would be much support for this to occur, particularly from countries who remain engaged in Afghanistan for the medium term."<br /><br />Who's that then? Because the US will have pulled its last combat troops out of there in two years' time, and I can't imagine anyone else wanting to stick around. Afghan won't be the "primary NATO" mission from, really, 2013 onwards. If Hollande is thinking in post-Afghan terms, he's not the only one.ajaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-81534607783234191482012-05-08T12:24:21.900+01:002012-05-08T12:24:21.900+01:00"whether the French engage in a genuinely sou..."whether the French engage in a genuinely soul searching strategic appraisal of their place in the world, or whether at best there is a desire to maintain the glory of France"<br /><br />Some years back i provided some comparative figures on the military's of Britain and France on the Warships1 forum, asking how it appeared that France retained so much more apparent capability on the same budget.<br /><br />For instance, the dual-headed and expensively independent French deterrent, not to mention the 50% increase in personnel.<br /><br />You replied then much as you did today, that much of the appearance is a facade that shields from view a two-tier force severly lacking in investment.<br /><br />Given what we have gone through with the SDSR, on the promise of real-terms increases from 2015 and a healthier long-term growth profile, one can only imagine how severe the crashing reality will look should they opt for substance over show.......jedibeeftrixhttp://jedibeeftrix.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-16920975887879193252012-05-08T04:57:47.150+01:002012-05-08T04:57:47.150+01:00Excellent article as usual. Surprised to find no m...Excellent article as usual. Surprised to find no mention of French defence sales industry. They have, for many years ignored political and moral implications, to keep defence sales as a useful source of income.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com