French Chief of Staff Calls for NATO Support for deployment of Ground troops in Ukraine.

On March 4, 2024, the digital newspaper "POLITICO" published an article announcing that the French Chief of Defense Staff, Thierry Burkhard, initiated a bold step by writing to his counterparts across NATO. Burkhard's letter proposes the formation of a "coalition of the willing," aimed at deploying soldiers to Ukraine. This move comes amid escalating tensions and ongoing conflict in the region, highlighting France's proactive approach to supporting Ukraine in its struggle.
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French Chief of Defense Staff, Army General Thierry Burkhard, on an official trip to Belgium to meet his Belgian counterpart, Admiral Michel HOFMAN.(Picture source: French MOD )

Following Burkhard's outreach, French President Emmanuel Macron made a crucial announcement on February 27, 2024, suggesting that the circumstances might necessitate the deployment of ground troops to Ukraine. Macron's statement underscores a potential shift in NATO's strategy towards a more direct military involvement in the conflict.

The proposed deployment of soldiers under this coalition would not only train Ukrainian forces but also engage in de-mining operations across territories affected by the conflict. This dual approach aims to enhance the capabilities of Ukrainian soldiers while addressing the urgent humanitarian concern of landmines, which pose a significant risk to civilians.

This initiative by France signals a possible change in the dynamics of international support for Ukraine, moving from logistical and material assistance to direct military involvement. However, the proposal for a coalition and the potential deployment of ground troops are expected to spark a vigorous debate among NATO members, weighing the benefits of direct involvement against the risks of escalation.

As discussions unfold, the global community watches closely, anticipating the outcomes of these deliberations and their implications for the future of Ukraine and the stability of the region. The move by France could lead to a new chapter in NATO's engagement in Ukraine, marking a pivotal moment in the international response to the conflict.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the focus of the French land forces has predominantly been on counter-terrorism operations. However, the recent escalation with Russia's aggressive actions has shifted this focus. In a detailed analysis, Lieutenant General Bertrand Toujouse, who leads the French land forces, discusses the French army's strategic pivot to address the threats posed by major powers.

Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the prospect of war spreading to other European nations has become a tangible fear for the first time since the Cold War era concluded. Despite the unexpected nature of Russia's incursion, the French military had been progressively preparing for the possibility of large-scale warfare on the continent. This preparation has been part of a broader, years-long effort to adapt to the evolving dynamics of international conflict, reflecting a strategic foresight into the challenges of modern military engagement.

The recent restructuring of the French Army and its capabilities is marked by significant modernization efforts and a strategic shift towards network-centric warfare, reflecting a broader commitment to enhance its military effectiveness and interoperability within Europe and NATO.

A key aspect of this restructuring is the Scorpion Program, a comprehensive military modernization initiative aimed at upgrading France's motorized capacity. This program, valued at around $6 billion, focuses on the development and deployment of advanced armored vehicles, including the VBMR-L (light multi-role armored vehicle) and the Griffon multi-role troop carrier, alongside the Jaguar combat vehicle equipped with a 40mm gun and anti-tank missiles. The French government has placed substantial orders for these new platforms, indicating a significant investment in the ground capabilities of the French Army.

This modernization drive underscores France's intent to foster its industrial and defense base through an exclusively French industrial consortium involving companies like Nexter, Thales, and Renault Trucks Defence. It also reflects broader European cooperation on defense, evidenced by a declaration of intent between France and Belgium to cooperate on the Scorpion Program, enhancing interoperability and shared military doctrine between the two countries.

Moreover, the French Armed Forces have been focusing on network-centric warfare (NCW), a concept that leverages information-sharing to enhance the operational capabilities of its military forces. The French Army's approach to NCW aims to create a middle-weight force capable of deployment in various operational theaters, particularly in Africa, while retaining the robustness needed for higher-end threats. This strategic premise, rooted in budgetary constraints and the need for a versatile, deployable force, has led to the development and fielding of NCW technologies since the 1990s.

The French military doctrine emphasizes national independence, nuclear deterrence, and military self-sufficiency, with France maintaining its status as a major nuclear power and an active participant in NATO. The country has been engaged in efforts to adapt NATO to the post-Cold War environment and has taken significant steps towards developing a professional military that is smaller, rapidly deployable, and tailored for operations beyond mainland France.

These initiatives represent France's commitment to not only enhancing its military capabilities but also contributing to the collective security and defense posture of Europe and its NATO allies. The focus on modernization, interoperability, and network-centric operations demonstrates an adaptive approach to meeting the evolving challenges of the 21st century's security environment.

Defense News March 2024