French defense minister attacks industry over production rates, threatens requisitioning

French defense minister attacks industry over production rates, threatens requisitioning
French defense minister attacks industry over production rates, threatens requisitioning

Sébastien Lecornu said he’s “expecting some effort from industrialists,” or else.

France’s Naval Group picked to build 4 Barracuda-class subs for Dutch military

France’s Naval Group picked to build 4 Barracuda-class subs for Dutch military
France’s Naval Group picked to build 4 Barracuda-class subs for Dutch military

A precise cost for the submarines was not provided, but the Ministry of Defense told parliamentarians in a letter that the “investment budget” is €5.6 billion ($6.1 billion).

Why sending a US Navy hospital ship to Gaza would be very difficult but ‘not impossible’

Why sending a US Navy hospital ship to Gaza would be very difficult but ‘not impossible’
Why sending a US Navy hospital ship to Gaza would be very difficult but ‘not impossible’

Analysts told Breaking Defense it would take weeks for a ship to reach the Middle East, and actually getting patients aboard presents myriad logistical, diplomatic and security problems.

What about Taurus missiles for Ukraine? The 1 question Germany’s chancellor hears on repeat

What about Taurus missiles for Ukraine? The 1 question Germany’s chancellor hears on repeat
What about Taurus missiles for Ukraine? The 1 question Germany’s chancellor hears on repeat

“There’s no technical argument why you would need German soldiers” for Ukraine to operate Taurus missiles, analyst Fabian Hoffmann said. “It’s simply because the chancellor doesn’t want to give up final targeting authority.”

France’s Thales and Spain’s Indra announce new collaboration agreement

France’s Thales and Spain’s Indra announce new collaboration agreement
France’s Thales and Spain’s Indra announce new collaboration agreement

The companies said they aim to work together on cyber defenses and other “critical [defense] systems” to strengthen Europe’s defense industrial base.

French underwater drone swarm maker bids to reshape maritime surveillance missions

French underwater drone swarm maker bids to reshape maritime surveillance missions
French underwater drone swarm maker bids to reshape maritime surveillance missions

A company official told Breaking Defense that the micro AUV market is relatively niche, but new startups are beginning to pop up, and it’s likely a similar trend to the proliferation of uncrewed aerial systems and uncrewed ground combat systems will soon emerge in the naval domain.

France details more high-dollar procurements in $21.9B 2023 spending review

France details more high-dollar procurements in $21.9B 2023 spending review
France details more high-dollar procurements in $21.9B 2023 spending review

For the army, the DGA procurement agency said it has signed a contract worth some €350 million ($378 million) with Nexter for 109 new generation Caesar (Mk II) truck-mounted guns.

France orders big Unmanned Combat Underwater Vehicle demonstrator

France orders big Unmanned Combat Underwater Vehicle demonstrator
France orders big Unmanned Combat Underwater Vehicle demonstrator

“The French Ministry of Armed Forces will benefit from technological breakthroughs and innovations in the fields of robotics, drones and artificial intelligence, in order to evaluate a new naval capability,” said French manufacturer Naval Group.

Amid high-tech talk, US and European navy chiefs bemoan the people problem

Amid high-tech talk, US and European navy chiefs bemoan the people problem
Amid high-tech talk, US and European navy chiefs bemoan the people problem

Western naval leaders gathered in Paris to present their priorities — and agree that recruiting and retention are among the chief challenges of the digital age.

As Israel and Hezbollah fight heats up, France takes on role of mediator

As Israel and Hezbollah fight heats up, France takes on role of mediator
As Israel and Hezbollah fight heats up, France takes on role of mediator

France’s ambassador to Israel, Frederic Journes, told Breaking Defense that Paris is “sparing no efforts,” “engaging all actors.”

France earmarks Caesar guns for Kyiv under ‘Artillery for Ukraine’ framework

France earmarks Caesar guns for Kyiv under ‘Artillery for Ukraine’ framework
France earmarks Caesar guns for Kyiv under ‘Artillery for Ukraine’ framework

Ukraine has bought a handful of the weapons, and French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Paris is seeking financing for dozens more.

Belgium’s John Cockerill to acquire French land vehicles maker Arquus

Belgium’s John Cockerill to acquire French land vehicles maker Arquus
Belgium’s John Cockerill to acquire French land vehicles maker Arquus

John Cockerill says it is targeting an annual turnover of €1 billion ($1.1 billion) with this acquisition.

France places $5.5 billion order for 42 new Rafale fighters

France places $5.5 billion order for 42 new Rafale fighters
France places $5.5 billion order for 42 new Rafale fighters

Sebastien Lecornu, the French armed forces minister, said the order “is excellent news for our sovereignty, our security and our armed forces who will benefit from extra Rafales with modernised operational capacities.”

Captured Russian weapons, an ammo crisis and a new NATO ally: 5 stories from Europe in 2023

Captured Russian weapons, an ammo crisis and a new NATO ally: 5 stories from Europe in 2023
Captured Russian weapons, an ammo crisis and a new NATO ally: 5 stories from Europe in 2023

Alliance expansion might force Russia to reassess a strategic calculus around a war beyond Ukraine’s borders, but tough questions around just how long Kyiv can defend itself are beginning to be asked.