Facing tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East, Senator Bruno Sido warns of a lack of ammunition and calls for a rapid rearmament of France.
Senator Bruno Sido from Haute-Marne, as a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Armed Forces, paints a worrying picture of the state of French military capabilities in a context of high international tensions, both in Ukraine and the Middle East.
According to him, France, like other European countries, is currently experiencing the consequences of over 30 years of underinvestment since the end of the Cold War. “Rebuilding an army is not simple,” he points out, highlighting that the era of “peace dividends” is now showing its limits. While the French forces have maintained operational experience through external operations, they are currently suffering from a lack of material resources.
The navy and the army are a top priority
The shortage of ammunition is one of the most critical points. Already visible “during the intervention in Libya,” this deficit could pose serious problems in high-intensity conflicts. Bruno Sido also emphasizes the changing nature of conflicts: drones and missiles, often inexpensive to produce, require the use of much more expensive defense systems to neutralize them, creating a difficult imbalance to maintain in the long term.
While the air force retains strong capabilities, especially with the Rafale aircraft, Bruno Sido believes that “the navy and the army must be strengthened as a priority.” He specifically mentions the insufficient French presence in the Red Sea, considering the vast area that needs to be secured with only a few deployed vessels over thousands of kilometers.
The senator also questions the allocation of budgets for defense, even as some industry insiders claim to lack orders to anticipate and produce more. “As long as we do not place orders, they cannot prepare,” he emphasizes.
For the senator from Haute-Marne, France must now anticipate future conflicts and equip itself with means that match its ambitions. In his view, France must regain a more assertive posture on the international stage. “We must be able to deter, to instill fear,” he concludes.
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