Like other NATO countries, against the background of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, France is also significantly increasing its military budget: "With its defense spending of 413 billion euros for the next seven years," said the Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu in the foreword According to the text accompanying the plan, "the draft law for military programming (LPM) 2024-2030 is intended to allow France to face the new threats that face it and to maintain its rank among the leading powers of the world." Comparison: The LPM 2019-2025 from 2018 still had a financial framework of 295 billion euros. Minister Lecornu presented the LPM project for the years 2024 to 2030 to the cabinet on April 4th.
Photo 1: Marine Nationale, Force océanique stratégique
threats
Under the heading “Threats” the first item mentioned in the LPM document is “Russia's invasion of Ukraine”. This led to a "strategic landslide". One of the characteristics of this conflict is "the threat of nuclear escalation by a nuclear power." Another characteristic is the return of a global strategy in Russia, combining "hybrid actions with high-intensity military operations in deep space."
The international jihadist movement is listed as a further threat. This represents a “challenge for the security of both Western states and the weak countries of the Muslim world from Africa to Southeast Asia. Thirdly, reference is made to the great power strategy of the People's Republic of China and the modernization of its military apparatus. This poses a risk of strategic instability in the Indo-Pacific.
Photo2: Armée de Terre, Jérôme Bardenet
capabilities
Under the Capabilities heading, nuclear deterrence is listed first: “The LPM aims to ensure the credibility of permanent deterrence, the cornerstone of our defense toolkit. It protects the French from all threats to our vital interests that emanate from states, regardless of their origin and shape.” To this end, the sea and airborne components of the “Force de Frappe” would be modernized as well as their means of communication. It should be noted that nuclear deterrence has always been at the forefront of French military doctrine, even before the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Strengthening territorial integrity and affirming national sovereignty are named as further capability tasks. The armed forces should be able to conduct high-intensity battles over a long period of time. Finally, it is planned to expand and diversify the strategic partnerships in the world.
Gerd Portugall
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