Relating to dependency military to international nations, and specifically to UNITED STATESthe case of France is way from being probably the most vital throughout the European Union. It may notably depend on a fleet of fighter planes Rafale 100% French, and never on F-35 Individuals… The report additionally underlines that “France has historically chosen to base its army autonomy on sovereign vectors. »
Nonetheless. This parliamentary report by deputies François Cormier-Bouligeon (Renaissance) and Aurélien Saintoul (LFI), launched Monday, warns of “lack of capability” in sure areas, in addition to “dependencies agreed on tools with advanced know-how”.
The US, significantly “predominant in these dependencies”
The report cites specifically “the unitary rocket launcher (American chassis), the steam catapults of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and the electromagnetic catapults (American tools) of the longer term plane provider Free France “, and even “the Awacs aircraft (American tools), whose radar may be very advanced”.
The longer term plane provider Free France will truly be geared up with three catapults referred to as “Emals (ElectroMagnetic Plane Launch System)” for the takeoff and touchdown of fighter planes, making it partially depending on its developer, the American Basic Atomics. The US is especially “predominant in these dependencies due to its technological advance, which permits it to supply operational options to the French armies”, underlines the report.
If Awacs will quickly get replaced, will probably be by a Swedish resolution (the GlobalEye of Saab). For the LRU, “if sovereign options might emerge, an off-the-shelf buy from a international nation is at present being studied”, underlines the report.
“Excessive dependence on Israel” on cartridge fashions
France additionally has “a robust dependence within the subject of small arms”, imports primarily coming “from Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and america”. The Famas has thus been “progressively changed since 2012 by the HK416 manufactured by the German firm Heckler and Koch”. The identical goes for ammunition. “The final French firm producing small caliber ammunition, GIAT Le Mans, closed in 1999, recall the rapporteurs. Imports at present come from nations akin to Germany, Austria, Sweden, Israel and america.” Aurélien Saintoul underlines specifically “the sturdy dependence of France onIsrael on 5.56 mm cartridges. Given the context, it appears extra crucial than ever to free ourselves from this dependence. »
These two dependencies on small arms and ammunition “represent an actual vulnerability”, the weakening of the sector having elevated “with the sale of Manurhin to an Emirati group in 2018”. “It was the one French firm to fabricate machines to provide munitions. Your entire manufacturing chain is due to this fact dismantled. » “The restoration of our sovereignty on this space constitutes an emergency,” warn the rapporteurs.
Additionally it is “identified that France imports most of its powder”. “Imports primarily come from the corporate Eurenco, whose manufacturing websites are unfold throughout Europe. » Nevertheless, within the occasion of a serious disaster, “it’s seemingly that nations with a manufacturing website will seize all of Eurenco’s capacities for their very own armies. France might face a scarcity. » Definitely, “two explosives factories have been modernized in Bergerac and Sorgues, beneath the management of Eurenco”, which constitutes “progress”. However this stays “inadequate to make sure the independence of France in a vital section”.
“The State’s response is usually inadequate”
Within the MALE (Center Altitude Lengthy Endurance) drone section, France has just one drone mannequin, the Reaperwhich is American (Basic Atomics). The rapporteurs recall that corporations are engaged on nationwide fashions, akin to Turgis and Gaillard, which carried out the primary piloted flights of the drone MALE « Aarok » in September 2025, in addition to the businesses Auro Aéro and Fly-R, that are additionally creating MALE drone fashions. “Sovereign options can due to this fact be developed. »
Regardless of these challenges, “the State’s response is usually inadequate,” the report additional factors out. “Instances of gross sales of corporations to competing nations are certainly frequent,” he mentioned, citing specifically the case of LMB Aerospace. “This firm produces parts used for tools such because the Rafale, the SNLE (nuclear ballistic missile submarine), Tiger helicoptersthe Leclerc tanks and the plane provider Charles de Gaulle. LMB Aerospace was purchased in 2025 by Loar Group, an American group which brings collectively protection aeronautics subcontractors. »
Of their conclusions, the 2 parliamentarians underline specifically the necessity to “create a sovereign fund to finance the French protection trade, fueled by the mobilization of French financial savings, as a way to have an enormous, fast and lasting funding lever”.
