Laura Kayali
@laukaya.bsky.social
Senior defense correspondent at POLITICO Europe in Paris. lkayali@politico.eu
The German military is set to take part in France’s flagship nuclear drill Poker for the first time this fall, according to a German government official. www.politico.eu/article/germ...
German military to join French nuclear exercise for first time
The joint drill comes as European governments question how long they can continue to rely on the U.S. for their security.
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NATO summit: Mark Rutte’s new 'Made in NATO' push is set to clash with EU efforts to foster homegrown companies — including the MFF and the procurement directive review. With Chris Lunday and @victorjack.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/mark...
Rutte’s ‘Made in NATO’ weapons push collides with EU’s ‘Buy European’ drive
The NATO chief wants to build the transatlantic military industrial complex, but the EU is backing its own companies.
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NATO allies are expected to pledge billions of dollars in new arms contracts and more weapons production at the alliance’s summit in Ankara next month, five NATO diplomats told POLITICO.
NATO allies to pledge billions in arms deals, Ukraine aid at Ankara summit
They are also considering references to the U.S. war in Iran as part of the draft summit declaration, NATO diplomats told POLITICO.
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France calls for orderly US military drawdown amid abrupt announcements of troop, asset reduction. "We would like the US shift to take place in an orderly, coordinated and efficient manner to avoid creating dilemmas for Europeans, » Deputy DM Alice Rufo told POLITICO www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France calls for ‘orderly’ US military drawdown
Europeans should not try to replace all of the expensive kit supplied by America, French Deputy Defense Minister Alice Rufo tells POLITICO.
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#FCAS — Berlin declares the Franco-German fighter jet dead in blow to Emmanuel Macron. The failure is likely to tarnish his defense legacy. The Elysée hinted the decision to pull the plug for good was made unilaterally by Germany. www.politico.eu/article/berl...
Berlin declares Franco-German fighter jet project dead in blow to Macron
Paris and Berlin are pulling the plug on a key defense program in a decision likely to tarnish French President Emmanuel Macron’s legacy.
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France's top general said out loud what French defense circles have been whispering for months: France could fall behind Germany. "For the Americans, Germany is gradually becoming the European benchmark." www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France’s top general warns about too-small military and slow production
Gen. Fabien Mandon also acknowledged France might fall behind Germany as Berlin boosts defense spending.
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Norway will join France's nuclear deterrence talks — alongside Germany, Poland, Sweden and several others.
Sweden announced today it has chosen France's Naval Group to provide four Luleå-class frigates — a significant milestone in the deepening Franco-Swedish defense relation.
"National Rally amendments to the French updated military planning law give a detailed glimpse into their defense ideas" www.politico.eu/article/fran...
More spending, less Brussels: Inside the French far right’s defense plans
National Rally amendments to the French updated military planning law give a detailed glimpse into their defense ideas.
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France’s far-right National Rally is calling for even higher military spending than the current government has proposed. But its MPs insist defense policy decisions should be taken in Paris, not Brussels. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/fran...
#LPM — Le projet de loi actualisant la loi de programmation militaire est désormais en ligne www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/17/texte...
assemblee-nationale.fr
France's government has presented its updated military planning law, with an extra €36 billion for defense by 2030. Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said the aim is to be able to face "potential major deployment" in an unpredictable timeframe.
France aims to spend €76.3B on defense in 2030
However, Paris is still unlikely to reach NATO’s 2035 spending target of 3.5 percent of GDP.
politico.eu
Europe needs to develop its own artificial intelligence capabilities to ensure its militaries can’t be “turned off” by foreign adversaries, Arthur Mensch, the CEO of Europe’s leading AI company warned today.
Europe needs to control AI for defense, top industry exec says
‘If you don’t have artificial intelligence in your systems, you actually don’t have an army,’ says Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch.
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“There is a kind of contest playing out between legacy [defense] players and new entrants," NATO's Pierre Vandier, told @politico.eu “There are 2 possible outcomes. Either the startups eventually get absorbed into the legacy world. Or the clash turns more violent" www.politico.eu/article/west...
‘Darwinian’ battle looms for the West’s arms industry, top NATO commander warns
Disruptors are looking to snatch lucrative defense ministry contracts from established firms.
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A new generation of defense startups is taking on the world’s biggest arms-makers in a cutthroat competition — and gaining ground.
‘Darwinian’ battle looms for the West’s arms industry, top NATO commander warns
Disruptors are looking to snatch lucrative defense ministry contracts from established firms.
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France mulls new tank (!!) and plans to increase munitions stockpiles up to 400% www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France plans huge missile increase in new defense push, document shows
Paris is also mulling the development of a new tank, according to a draft military planning law seen by POLITICO.
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EXCLUSIVE: France is rewriting its war playbook using lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East, as it prepares for a possible confrontation with Russia later this decade.
How the wars in Ukraine and Iran made France rethink its military plans
France is looking at cheaper options to take down Iranian drones, the country’s deputy air force chief tells POLITICO.
politico.eu
Must-read:
Laura Kayali@laukaya.bsky.social · 4mo agoFrance is rewriting its war playbook using lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East, the French air force's deputy chief told @politico.eu Both conflicts are shaping imminent decisions on what weapons Paris will develop, buy and deploy. www.politico.eu/article/how-...
France is rewriting its war playbook using lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East, the French air force's deputy chief told @politico.eu Both conflicts are shaping imminent decisions on what weapons Paris will develop, buy and deploy. www.politico.eu/article/how-...
How the wars in Ukraine and Iran made France rethink its military plans
France is looking at cheaper options to take down Iranian drones, the country’s deputy air force chief tells POLITICO.
politico.eu
Quite a few announcements from Sébastien Lecornu this week: - France will spend €8,5 billion for munitions by 2030 - Launch of a wholesale purchasing platform called France Munitions via an SPV - New powers to overlook norms and rules in case of threat www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France wants power to overlook national laws in case of threat
French PM Sébastien Lecornu also announces €8.5 billion for munitions by 2030 and a new platform to buy missiles, shells and drones in bulk.
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"Sébastien Lecornu reçoit à 15 heures à Matignon ministres et hauts gradés pour parler de l’économie de guerre — une réunion prévue il y a quelques jours, puis décalée pour cause de conseil de défense" ( @laukaya.bsky.social)
The French government will propose creating a new legal framework to let the state ignore or adapt national laws when the country faces a threat, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced today.
France wants power to overlook national laws in case of threat
French PM Sébastien Lecornu also announces €8.5 billion for munitions by 2030 and a new platform to buy missiles, shells and drones in bulk.
politico.eu
Denmark's chief of defense staff has warned that European countries are not yet ready for war. "We have to change our mindset from diagnosis to delivery. We’re no longer very surprised but we’re not also really ready," he said.
Europe needs to change mindset to prepare for war, top Danish general warns
Top military officers warn Russia could attack NATO territory by the end of the decade.
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Denmark's ambassador to France says at the Paris Defense and Strategy Forum that Copenhagen's purchase of the Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG air defense system is "the largest defense investment in Danish history"
French President Emmanuel Macron demanded that industry shift to a war footing in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, but four years on the results are disappointing.
France wanted a war economy. Here’s why Macron’s big plan fizzled.
The French president urges companies to invest before signing contracts, but firms want deals first.
politico.eu
Fighter jet plot twist! Poland is looking at joining the Global Combat Air Programme fighter jet project led by Italy, the U.K. and Japan, a Polish minister said Thursday. pro.politico.eu/news/215221
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#FCAS groundhog day France and Germany will try one more time to agree on how to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet — with a deadline in April. www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France, Germany agree to give next-gen fighter one last chance
The Future Combat Air System project has stalled because the French and German contractors don’t see eye to eye.
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Emmanuel Macron urges defense companies to "take risks" without waiting for contracts: "We need manufacturers who can sometimes anticipate future orders. The future is pretty clear: we’ll need to keep investing. Sometimes, don’t wait for the contract to be signed, we’ve always kept our word."
The Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG has a new opening in Europe. Switzerland is looking to purchase a Europe-made air defense system to make up for American delays, as Patriot deliveries are now expected to be pushed back by four or five years. pro.politico.eu/news/214368
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