France Braces For 'High-Intensity Warfare' To Deal With Those Who 'Want To Destroy Us'

The French navy is enhancing its readiness for potential high-stakes conflicts, as global tensions continue to escalate. The Navy is shifting its training focus from traditional policing operations to preparing for high-intensity warfare.

What Happened: The French navy is undergoing a significant transformation in its training regimen, POLITICO reported on Thursday. According to Rear Adm. Jacques Mallard, the Navy is now actively preparing for potential naval combat scenarios, reflecting the heightened threats in the current geopolitical landscape. This shift is a marked change from the past focus on operations such as intercepting drug traffickers and combating illegal fishing.

"We're moving from a world where we were pretty free to do as we pleased to one where we feel threatened on a more regular basis … We now train for other missions, in particular what we call high-intensity warfare,” Mallard said.

As the only European Union nation with a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, France is preparing its carrier battle group, including nuclear submarines, frigates, and Rafale fighter jets, for a mission in the Mediterranean Sea. The change in training underscores concerns about aggressive actions by countries like Russia and non-state actors in strategic waterways.

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Mallard stressed the importance of this shift, stating the need to prepare for adversaries who “want to destroy us.” He noted the increasing boldness of competitors in the maritime domain, necessitating a more assertive response from Western navies.

Despite the ramp-up in capabilities for high-intensity warfare, France does not perceive China as an immediate threat in the same manner as the United States. Mallard clarified that France does not subscribe to a bipolar view of global threats and will not consider China a principal adversary unless direct threats to French territories emerge.

Why It Matters: France’s strategic military shift comes amid a backdrop of heightened global tensions. Russia recently warned of direct confrontation with NATO following French President Emmanuel Macron‘s proposal for NATO presence in Ukraine, causing divisions among European leaders.

Additionally, in February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought military aid from Germany and France amid the escalating conflict with Russia.

Furthermore, President Macron’s comments on “strategic autonomy” and reduced dollar dependence have sparked criticism, especially in the context of rising U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan.

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