French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, visited the Memorial of the Children of Izieu, a memorial for Jewish children exterminated during World War II, on April 7, 2024. During an interview on France 2, Lecornu confirmed his commitment to establishing a “rapid reaction force” in Europe by the following year. This force would be able to deploy up to 5,000 military personnel in hostile environments by 2025, particularly for assisting European nationals in crisis situations.
President Emmanuel Macron had proposed the idea of a rapid reaction force in his speech on Europe at the Sorbonne, emphasizing the need to be able to quickly deploy forces to assist European citizens in need. Lecornu justified the establishment of such a force by pointing out that there are many crises in which NATO is not involved and where France often operates alone. The force would be specifically focused on operations like evacuating European nationals from countries facing turmoil or conflict.
Lecornu highlighted the importance of building a credible European defense capability, separate from NATO operations, for missions that require a European response. He mentioned the example of a recent evacuation operation in Sudan, where France led the effort to evacuate around 1,000 people, including 200 French nationals. Lecornu stressed the importance of burden-sharing in such operations and emphasized the pragmatic approach of building a European defense system to handle specific military missions.
President Macron outlined his vision for Europe’s future during his speech at the Sorbonne, focusing on defense, economic policies, and commercial strategies. He underlined the importance of revitalizing the European project and enhancing its capabilities in various domains. Macron also warned about the fragility of the current European Union and the need to make strategic choices to ensure its survival and prosperity in the coming decade.
Macron called for the creation of a “strong Europe” capable of defending its interests, ensuring its security, and regaining its strategic autonomy. He proposed the development of a credible European defense system, which may include an EU missile shield and increased defense spending financed through a European loan mechanism. Macron also advocated for a European preference in purchasing military equipment to boost the European defense industry.
In conclusion, the establishment of a rapid reaction force in Europe and the creation of a credible European defense system are seen as crucial steps in enhancing the EU’s security and defense capabilities. By developing these mechanisms, European nations can respond more effectively to crises, evacuate their citizens from dangerous situations, and assert their strategic autonomy on the global stage. President Macron’s vision for a revitalized and fortified Europe underscores the importance of collective action and cooperation in ensuring the continent’s stability and prosperity in the face of increasing challenges.
