Contenu du sommaire : Engagement militaire : de nouvelles formes ?

The armed forces have long been subjected to a continual succession of reforms that have called into question the very foundations of how those forces function on a day-to-day basis, as well as on operations. These reforms have led to loss of expertise, which is in turn penalising the conduct and support of the units committed. There is now a need to look for more innovative approaches that respond to military requirements.

The French Navy, the Marine Nationale, is closely following the sociological developments that affect its manpower because of constraints imposed by the profession. The latter need to be taken into account through better recognition by state bodies in particular and, more generally, by the whole nation.

Although the current French strategic context is tending to blend overseas theatres of operations with what is happening domestically, the fact remains that the combat soldier must remain above all a fighter. There are, of course, new threats, such as Islamist terrorism, but war remains a reality that has to be confronted at the risk of death.

International law condemns the use of force as a means of resolving disputes between states, and goes as far as imposing sanctions on those who might choose to violate this limiting doctrinal corpus. Nevertheless, in the face of a determined adversary, the law becomes impotent.

Uncertainty is one of the realities of war and operations and yet in the highly Cartesian French mind uncertainty is a destabilising factor. Having the courage to grasp that very destabilising factor whilst at the same time taking risks can often be the key to military success.

Resilience is a reasonably new concept in the field of social sciences. It takes on relevance in the face of terrorism in particular, since terrorism aims at weakening the capability of a nation to resist such attacks and setting public opinion against the political authority. It is therefore essential to develop a culture of resilience.

The European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR) demonstrates the relevance and usefulness of gendarmeries in crisis management through the unique expertise and knowhow they bring into play. They represent a pragmatic manner of force commitment to strengthening security in Europe.

Motives for a military alliance have in them many ambiguities when compared with the specific meaning as stated in the concept of the alliance. Participation in this type of relationship between states means a degree of acceptance of the risk of weakening the ultimate aim of an alliance founded on common defence.

Maintenance in operational condition is a major challenge for the army. The arrival of the Scorpion programme is leading Renault Trucks Défense to suggest an innovative organisation that can be developed over time to respond to aims and needs on operations.

France and Spain have considerable experience in amphibious operations, which benefit from complementary and shared knowledge and capabilities. The natural cooperation between the two countries that flows from this is contributing to the acquisition of a European capability for use in the future.

The design, development and employment of the tank began during the First World War. Private and state industries produced a variety of machines up to nationalisation in 1936. Since the Second World War, attempts to cooperate with Germany on a common tank have hitherto failed. Might it be different in the future?

Restarting the manufacture of small-calibre munitions has again become a question of national sovereignty. An outline for this new industry is currently being drawn up with industrial partners, with the aim of responding to the operational needs of our armed and security forces.

Demography represents a major challenge in South Asia. It is gradually altering already delicate balances in the complex relationships between religions (including Hinduism and Islam) and races, and risks leading to uncontrollable migratory movements.

Empires are back. Not those that were dismantled as a result of the Second World War and the wars that led to decolonisation, but new ones often driven by destabilising ambitions. With its strong demography, China is the prime example of an imperial power in full expansion.

The aircraft carrier has for decades demonstrated its value in operations. It is an effective tactical tool and also an essential strategic instrument for upholding a credible foreign policy with regard to potential adversaries.