Against a backdrop of increasing military buildup in Europe and geopolitical tensions, recent developments reflect France’s aim to strengthen its strategic independence and bolster nuclear deterrence capabilities against emerging threats.
French authorities are preparing a real survival manual to send to their fellow citizens. The instructions, contained in a 20-page booklet, are said to cover a wide range of “immediate threat” scenarios. These include armed conflicts, health crises, natural disasters, industrial accidents, radioactive leaks and cyberattacks.
According to French media, the guide will be divided into three parts with instructions on how to protect “yourself and those around you”, what to do if the danger is immediate and details on how to contribute to the protection of your community, for example by registering for the reserve or fire brigade teams. The manual is currently being reviewed by the government led by Prime Minister François Bayrou and, if approved, will be sent to French citizens before the summer. This plan, also attached to the latest measures of Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron.
1.5 BILLION EURO PLAN
President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the 116th Air Base in Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur, located in Haute-Saône, represents a key moment in the strengthening of France’s defense capacity. During this meeting, the head of the Elysée presented an ambitious modernization plan that includes the introduction of the ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile, which will be deployed at this strategic base by 2035. The modernization of the air fleet, with particular reference to the Rafale F5 fighter bomber, is designed to make the French armed forces more ready for an increasingly political context.
The decision to deploy the ASN4G missile at Luxeuil marks an important step towards renewing and strengthening France’s air component of nuclear deterrence. In support of this initiative, two Rafale F5 fighter-bomber squadrons will be assigned, marking a significant transformation of this center of military power. This strategy is part of a broader plan to modernize France’s air capabilities, including the acceleration of Rafale orders and an investment of 1.5 billion euros to improve infrastructure to meet future operational needs.
INNOVATIONS IN THE RAFALE F5
The new generation Thales RBE2 XG radar, with active anti-missile and data fusion technologies, aims to ensure optimal engagement against emerging threats, such as drones and precision missiles. These innovations will enable the French Strategic Air Forces (FAS) to operate in complex scenarios, while maintaining the resilience necessary to face advanced defense systems, thus giving France a privileged strategic position.
A distinctive feature of the Rafale F5 is its ability to carry the ASN4G missile, developed by MBDA with the support of ONERA. This hypersonic weapon, capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 7 thanks to a ramjet engine, represents an unprecedented evolution in the penetration of advanced air defenses. The capacity of the air base will be doubled, allowing it to accommodate more than 2000 military and civilian personnel by 2035.
PARIS’ LONG-TERM VISION
Against a backdrop of increasing military buildup in Europe and geopolitical tensions, recent developments reflect France’s intention to strengthen its strategic independence and bolster its nuclear deterrence capabilities against emerging threats. Macron’s announcement is consistent with a long-term vision to equip the French armed forces with modernized air capabilities, ready to face future operational challenges. This integrated approach seems to demonstrate not only France’s determination to guarantee its national security, but also its active engagement in the European and global security landscape, positioning itself as a key player in contemporary geopolitical dynamics.
