Contenu du sommaire : L'importance stratégique des Outre-mer

Maritime power remains a major geopolitical advantage so long as a country has the means to put it into effect. The increasingly maritime nature of globalisation also plays to the advantage of those countries that have a maritime policy worthy of the name. France possesses these advantages and, well aware of the strategic stakes involved, is devoting great effort to support its Navy.

Our overseas territories give France—Europe, too—a major strategic advantage. In a globalised world largely dependent on maritime trade these support bases are essential for the preservation of our interests, but we need to re-establish a level of expenditure on military assets which has suffered considerable reduction, out of line with the current situation.

French Indo-Pacific policy needs to recognise the diversity of territories in this very active region. These territories mean that France is in effect an island nation, one that has to increase its relations whilst taking into account a broad range of aspects in order to respond to many challenges, among which is climate change.

By virtue of their strategic value, French overseas territories and the commitments that go with them need increased naval forces. The 2019-2025 military programming law acknowledges that effort is needed to reduce capability gaps, and yet we need to go further—if only to preserve our own interests and to make the most of the potential of our Exclusive Economic Zones.

The Îles Éparses (the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean) were discovered in the eighteenth century by French sailors. They are uninhabited and have always been under our sovereignty, and today represent a significant strategic stake in the context of often hypocritically-argued covetousness. We must, therefore, retain these territories under the national flag.

Security surveillance of our overseas areas is conducted by the French Navy, operating within an inter-ministerial framework. Current strategy is aimed at boosting our intervention capability through renewal of material assets with new generations of ships and greater use of airborne drones to increase the surveillance radius.

‘Adapted military service' (Service militaire adapté—SMA) is a very effective system for training and starting the professional life of young people at home in their overseas territories. The quality of management and the choice of applied subjects for study are measures of SMA's recognised effectiveness and contribute to the development of overseas territories.

The gold deposits in Guyane (French Guiana) are greatly coveted. Illegal panning for gold by the garimpeiros that infiltrate from Brazil destabilises this overseas department both socially and environmentally. The state and local partners are committed to fight this scourge, and the armed forces together with the gendarmerie are the majority contributors to that fight. Operation Harpie will continue for the foreseeable future.

The various skills that contribute to diplomacy are evolving in response to changing international relationships. Building positive influence is becoming essential. In addition to mobilising state bodies, soft power employs means and players of widely-ranging profiles. Social networks also act as instruments for transforming diplomacy.

Hybrid threats have become a distinct risk to the security of member nations of the European union. The EU has taken note of the reality of potential destabilisation and has started to set in place particular means and procedures to allow collective reaction in partnership with NATO.

Cyber-related risks are well and truly with us and are manifested in many ways able to destabilise highly diverse types of organisation. Nevertheless, whilst their disruptive power is effective, cyber attacks cannot be compared with the destructive power of the atom. We should therefore be careful not to confuse these concepts or turn cyber warfare into a weapon of deterrence.

The ALAT (French Army light aviation) is committed to major change with the arrival in recent years of new-generation helicopters, such as Tigre and NH90. There have been some significant teething problems but the process is maturing well and real progress is being made towards notable operational effectiveness whilst awaiting the arrival of the H160M Guépard.

The 11th Parachute Brigade, stationed in the south west of France, is a major army unit that stands out from the European military landscape. This Brigade gives France an exceptional asset that is highly reactive and agile and is founded upon a powerful and tightly-knit community of personnel.

The Northrop T-38 Talon advanced training aircraft has just celebrated its sixtieth year of service. Such longevity comes from a fine original design and successive modernisations to keep it up to date. It represents an example of the American approach to extending the service life of weapon systems.

The seas around China attract numerous territorial claims, notably by Beijing, and call into question a number of fundamental precepts of the law of the sea. That law is openly criticised since it is based on Western reasoning: it is therefore urgent that the international community reaffirm the law of the sea.

The ethnic composition of Pakistan makes it an unstable country in which extremism and identity claims are increasing. By dint of this instability in a tense geopolitical environment with Afghanistan, Iran and India especially, Pakistani armed forces enjoy the total support of the regime and are well equipped and motivated.

France went to war in September 1939 against its will. Despite the optimistic declarations of the high command, there were many shortcomings in all areas: obsolete equipment, inappropriate doctrine and failing chains of command. Responsibility lay with political and military authorities unable to work together, added to which Gamelin's major errors should not be forgotten.