2013 French White Paper on Defence and National Security

Summary

• Additional cuts of 24,000 personnel on top of the 54,000 already cut in the 2008 French White Paper on Defence and National Security.
• Core defence budget frozen at 31.4 billion euros and reduced to 1.5% of GDP. However, the defence budget will continue to remain the third largest in NATO after the United States and United Kingdom.
• A "Joint Reaction Force" of 2,300 personnel maintained a high readiness and the ability to deploy up-to 15,000 troops in a single overseas deployment.
• Particular emphasis on developing intelligence gathering capabilities, cyber warfare, the strengthening of special forces and the purchase of unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Number of ships, helicopters, transport aircraft and tanks to be reduced.

French Army

• Reduction in personnel to the "operational force" of the army from 88,000 troops to 66,000.
• The French Army will restructure to 7 Brigades; 2 heavy, 3 medium and 2 light role.
• A reduction of 50 Leclerc main battle tanks to an operational fleet of 200.
• 80 attack helicopters, 115 support helicopters, 40 reconnaissance helicopters.
• Purchase of 30 "tactical" UAVs, most likely the British Watchkeeper WK450.

  French Navy

• The possibility of a new aircraft carrier has been officially abandoned.
• The possibility of a 4th Mistral-class amphibious assault ship has been officially abandoned.
• The 5 La Fayette-class light frigates which were re-classified as "1st rank frigates" in the 2008 white paper will be upgraded with a sonar.
• A reduction in the number of "1st rank frigates" from 18 to 15. The figure of 15 includes "less powerful combatants" such as the La Fayette-class.
• Expected deliveries of FREMM multipurpose frigates to the French Navy reduced from 11 to 8.
• The two Horizon-class frigates will be the two primary air-defence frigates in service with the Navy when the ageing Cassard-class are decommissioned. However, the possibility remains that out of the 8 FREMM destined for the French Navy, 2 could be configured with enhanced air-defence capabilities.
• 6 light surveillance frigates to remain in service.
• A total of 15 offshore patrol vessels.
• The construction of 6 Barracuda-class submarines.
• The last of the Foudre-class landing platform docks to be decommissioned.
• The white paper asserted that a naval task group would require "collaboration" with the Royal Navy to sustain operations. Bringing the Lancaster House treaties into practice.

  French Air Force

• The air force and navy will operate no more than 225 fast-jet combat aircraft consisting of; Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters and modernised Mirage 2000-D strike aircraft.
• The Mirage 2000-N nuclear strike force will remain.
• The number of expected Dassault Rafale orders will be reduced.
• Ability to deploy up to 40 fast-jet combat aircraft in an over seas conflict.
• 4 air force and 3 navy AEW&C systems.
• A fleet of refueling tanker and transports aircraft comprising; 12 Airbus A330 refueling tankers and 50 tactical transport aircraft.