France is open to cooperating with Sweden on building a next-generation fighter jet. "Are there any avenues for cooperation? Of course, there are many: we have aircraft engine production capacity that Sweden doesn’t have," said an Elysée official. www.politico.eu/article/fran...

France opens door to fighter jet cooperation with Sweden

PARIS — France is open to cooperating with Sweden on building a next-generation fighter jet, an Elysée official told reporters on Friday. “We’re both looking for aircraft that are …

politico.eu

Around half of French voters back presidential candidates who object to NATO. Le Pen wants France out of NATO’s integrated command; Mélenchon wants to quit entirely. Our deep dive into how the '27 election is becoming a concern inside NATO. w/ @laukaya.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/nato...

NATO’s next nightmare: The French presidential election

Paris retreating from the alliance is no longer a remote prospect. But it’s a move that would cost both France and its allies.

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.

politico.eu

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.

politico.eu

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.

politico.eu

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.

politico.eu

#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.

politico.eu

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.

politico.eu

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.

politico.eu

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...

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.

politico.eu

“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.

politico.eu

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.

politico.eu

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.

politico.eu

Trump says he’s considering pulling out of NATO www.politico.eu/article/us-d...

Trump says he’s considering pulling out of NATO

Top U.S. officials have stepped up warnings to military allies, who are refusing American requests to help out with the Iran war and its consequences.

politico.eu

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 · 5mo ago

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-...

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.

politico.eu

"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.

politico.eu

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

#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.

politico.eu