Contenu du sommaire : Projection de force

Operational logistics are a major issue for the success of our engagements. The projection of force requires an ongoing effort to permit the disposal-at the desired time, in the desired place-of resources necessary for supporting these operations. Current organization, even under constraint, responds to these demands.

The A400M aircraft, entered into service in 2013, constitutes a major leap in capacity by delivering a veritable capital gain for the projection of our forces. Stemming from a European collaboration, this aircraft will comprise a unifying asset and contribute directly to the reinforcement of ties with our allies.

France has a complete arsenal at its disposal permitting power projection in conditions of substantial reactivity. However, despite efforts conducted, there exist weaknesses of capacity that could lead to veritable and attenuating ruptures, consequently weakening the aptitude of forces to drive their missions.

Operation Serval, and today Operation Barkhan, have already permitted the drawing of logistical lessons. The requirements of the Sahelian theater fall outside of norms and necessitate ongoing efforts of adaptation concerning resources just as much as modes of organization, with an experiences and responsive chain of command.

The employment of the special forces (SF) responds to objectives that are often political and necessitate the disposal of capacities of projection that are important in a tactical, and often perilous, context. The difficulty lies in the fact that the action of the SF can only rarely suffice to resolve crises that are generally maintained over time.

Russia has suffered from not having direct access to oceans, but currently develops naval capacities for power projections starting from the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, thus transforming a geographic handicap thanks to new armaments and a tactical advantage.

Europe must have a viable naval strategy permitting it to project real maritime capacities, while national resources are no longer sufficient to address these needs. There is need for a real political ambition, depending on a true desire to act.

The Army is in need of augmenting its ties with high public functioning, using exterior mobility more strenuously to the profit of its superior officers. Such an approach would be necessary and would reinforce mutual recognition, which is currently insufficient.

The 2015 attacks have demonstrated the need to be able to mobilize supplementary military troops. The idea of a National Guard could to respond to this necessity, supported by a realistic project within reach of our human and budgetary resources.

The Army-Nation relationship personified by military service and the trials of war has suffered from its suspension in 1996. It is necessary to review this relationship while threats increase, including on our territory. The renovated Reserves could thus contribute to the reinforcement of the indispensable relation between citizens and their armed forces.

The expression of professional demands assumed by trade unions has always stirred up mistrust on the part of the military institution reluctant to call into question command prerogatives. The creation of the APNM (Associations professionnelles nationales de militaires) could witness a new step in the positioning of a social dialogue at the heart of the armed forces.

The National Professional Military Associations (Associations professionnelles nationales de militaires, APNM) comprise a novelty in the measures of dialogue of the Ministry of Defense around the condition of being a military member. The recently created APNM could be an asset, under the condition that it has a real representation and demonstrates interests at the heart of the community of defense.

China has an ambition to reconstruct a new, terrestrial “Silk Road.” Realism necessitates prudency facing such grandiose projects but risks never being realized, as terrestrial transport is ultimately less competitive than maritime routes, despite seemingly faster transport periods.

South Korea, even though it is very dependent on the United States, is engaged in the development of a national defense industry, thus benefitting induites waning technologies. Seoul seeks to consolidate its place, all while remaining conscious of the need for Washington's support.

Taiwan comprises a very particular geopolitical case at the heart of Asia, with an ongoing ambivalence in its relation with Beijing, between economic partner and political rival. This complexity is the fruit of history but is manifested through current tensions in the region between fear and need to come closer.

At the end of a year of strategic reflections on the École Polytechnique (Polytechnic School, X), the government announced its decision on December 15, 2015 through the Minister of Defense: an overview of the X's new orientation.

Russian military doctrine has evolved, taking into account lessons from crises, notably in Kosovo. The modernization of its forces falls in line with this perspective, while avoiding entrance into a technological race with NATO, and while developing the concept of “War Without Contact.”

Portugal has developed a strategic project, “Defense 2020,” looking to adapt its armed forces to national ambitions by rationalizing its structures, all while aspiring to conserve an effective and operational tool-both available and less costly-permitting Lisbon to meet its international engagements.

South Africa has a very important scientific and technological potential at its disposal, setting it apart from the African continent. Nuclear power, henceforth civil but also in the armament industry, constitutes an asset that remains solid and responds to Pretoria's new ambitions.