Contenu du sommaire : LPM 2024-2030 et haute intensité

The protection of France is the primary mission of our armed forces. In an ever more complex and conflictual strategic context we must build a robust system of defence capable of engaging in warfare. That requires determined, shared action carried forward by the armed forces and the DGA ( Direction générale de l'armement, the procurement authority), supported by a dynamic, agile and innovant DITB.

The rapidly-changing strategic situation is compelling the Army to speed up its transformation with the objective of being ready to go into combat in the service of the French nation as a power for balance and training. That means boosting its operational capabilities by drawing on its moral strengths, new equipment and increased reactivity at all levels.

France has long been present in the Indo-Pacific region and is asserting its desire to be a credible and respected actor—one which seeks to unite, rather than divide. The 2024-2030 LPM ( Loi de programmation militaire—military programming law) will give a boost to national objectives regarding partnerships in the area with the aim of achieving an appropriate balance in support of the economic development so essential to the region.

The 2024-2030 LPM ( Loi de programmation militaire—military programming law) is a clear demonstration that efforts are being made, but they remain insufficient in the face of the challenges posed by the return of high-intensity warfare. The LPM needs consolidation through revision of our cooperative activity and our choice of partners. We need also to consider the demands of the future, and start the preparation of a new Livre blanc (defence white paper) for 2028.

Low-cost products are invading domestic markets and appearing in numerous sectors of activity. The defence sector might benefit from some of these practices when responding to new operational needs. The next LPM should therefore allow room for such developments, drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine in particular.

ONERA, the French Aerospace Lab, is fully involved in the aims of the next LPM ( Loi de programmation militaire—military programming law) in preparing for the future. Deterrence, high speed, space and quantum mechanics are all fields in which ONERA's expertise is essential to ensure that our armed forces have the tools they need for operational superiority. That will require investment and highly advanced scientific skills.

The LPM ( Loi de programmation militaire—military programming law) seeks to preserve the full range of modes of action that constitute our armed forces' skills whilst taking into account new threats and lessons learned, from the war in Ukraine in particular. That also means adapting our industrial capacity for the long-term future. The Army's qualities such as reactivity and agility need to be strengthened in order for it to respond to all possible engagement scenarios.

The military programming laws ( lois de programmation militaire—LPM) originally allowed the build-up of the strategic ocean-going force (Force océanique stratégique—FOST), and yet, with the passage of decades and of successive LPMs, the original aims have repeatedly been revised downwards. Numerous naval construction programmes have suffered cuts as a result.

At a time of renewed high-intensity warfare on European soil we need to take note of lessons learned during the Cold War period, when our forces were preparing for confrontation with the Warsaw Pact. Deterrence was, and is, reinforced by a well-trained command structure and moral force. Such lessons remain as pertinent as ever to the next military programming law.

French overseas possessions are a major asset for the country, and yet their resupply is vulnerable in time of crisis. It is becoming imperative to protect resupply lines, in particular to the Indo-Pacific, through the use of a range of modes of action and by reinforcing our strategic partnerships.

Operations in a contemporary multi-domain (MDO) environment are becoming complex and require new ways of working for operational command structures. The French War College ( École de Guerre) participates directly in the necessary doctrinal work through the training of its students, in particular the exercise Coalition, a genuine source of innovation and experimentation in the field of tactics.

There is currently an unprecedented growth in cartography, a reflection of the geopolitical changes across the world. Use of new tools such as satellite data and digital data-handling are increasing the amount of information offered, though with this comes the risk of the use of maps for political ends, exemplified by China. Maps and charts are more than ever indispensable for analysis and understanding.

The duration and intensity of the war in Ukraine is exposing problems with international law. The arrival of new institutional and private actors is calling into question the principles of jus in bello, and compelling us to question and reflect on the outcome of the conflict and, especially, on what constitutes a border.

The war provoked by Russia against Ukraine is putting the transatlantic relationship to test by revealing a Europe highly dependent on the United States for its security. In the face of Russian aggressiveness, defence policies and strategic doctrines need to be revised. Furthermore, the question of China should not be neglected.

The Japanese-American alliance took root in the Japanese defeat of 1945 and the alignment of Tokyo to Washington's positions. The current situation has become far more complex, given China's openly-declared imperialist ambitions along with the consequences of the war started by Russia in Ukraine and the nuclearisation of North Korea.

The withdrawal of France from NATO's integrated military structure should not be reduced to a disagreement between General de Gaulle and Washington. It was a far weightier issue concerning the notion of sovereignty and the deployment of the French nuclear deterrent, operational from 1964.

The assassination in Ecuador last summer of a presidential election candidate was a turning point for the country and a recognition of the challenge posed by the rapidly-growing cocaine traffic. With the cartels making great effort to increase the number of their supply lines, to Asia in particular, Ecuador has become a transit base by virtue of its coastline.

Courage is a characteristic frequently associated with the soldier. Is it an innate virtue or one acquired through training? An intrinsic quality of the individual or a collective capability within a group put to the test? In fact, it is all of these, combined according to a complex alchemy which is often related to extraordinary circumstances.