France's freshly published 2025 defense strategy, known as the "Revue Nationale Strategique 2025" (RNS 2025), outlines strategic objectives through 2030. RNS 2025 draws attention to the rise of conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with particular focus on threats from Russia, which is increasingly formulating direct threats against Europe. France is also watching China with concern as it expands its nuclear arsenals.
France underscores the importance of its sovereign nuclear force based on naval and airborne components. "Nuclear weapons are to serve exclusively defense and deterrence purposes. The objective is robust and credible nuclear deterrence."
By 2030, France aims to achieve the status of a "united and resilient France," capable of crisis management. The strategic plan encompasses the mobilization of society, the harmonization of the National Guard, and the continuity of critical networks. France seeks to achieve "first-rate cyber resilience" by investing in technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The strategy envisions combating information manipulation, particularly from Russia.
France aspires to be the driving force behind Europe's strategic autonomy, supporting projects such as ELSA and cooperation with Germany under the Treaty of Aachen, in order to create a unified vision of European defense.
France is consolidating partnerships in Africa and the Indo-Pacific region (Clemenceau and Pegasus missions) and supporting multilateralism within the framework of the UN and international law. However, the strategy most strongly emphasizes the need to strengthen Europe through the continent's strategic autonomy.
From France's perspective, Poland is considered a country that occupies a key position due to its geographical location on NATO's eastern flank. RNS 2025 underscores the importance of strengthening NATO member partnerships and supporting Ukraine, which aligns with Poland's active role in backing Kyiv. Cooperation with Poland focuses on countering hybrid threats such as information manipulation and on strengthening collective defense.
Poland is an important partner for France in combating cyberattacks and disinformation, especially campaigns initiated by Russia. Poland is a key player in the context of support for Ukraine, which aligns with France's objectives. Franco-Polish cooperation could encompass logistical and operational support, particularly with regard to arms deliveries and the strengthening of regional stability.
The Franco-German partnership is the most important within the framework of RNS 2025, as both countries are regarded as the engine of European defense. Work on deepening the Franco-German defense partnership will continue in the spirit of the Treaty of Aachen. This includes joint armament projects such as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), which aim to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the European defense industry.
France and Germany are working on the implementation of a "European Defense Industry Strategy" to reduce dependence on third countries such as the United States. The strategy supports projects such as ELSA, aimed at equipping Europe with the necessary critical capabilities, with a target completion date of 2028.
Both countries are promoting the development of breakthrough technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and hypersonic weapons. RNS 2025 calls for increased coordination with Germany to protect technological know-how from foreign appropriation, which is of key importance for Franco-German cooperation.
