France's military capabilities: Europe's strategic heavyweight?

As the geopolitical centre of gravity in Europe shifts in response to the war in Ukraine, the question of which states can uphold European security in the face of a potentially diminished US commitment has become more pressing. Among European NATO members, France stands out—alongside the United Kingdom—as one of the continent’s foremost military powers. But how capable is France’s military, and what role could it play in peacekeeping or security enforcement missions in Ukraine?

Ground Forces: A Modern but Lean Army

French Army (Armée de Terre)

• Active personnel: ~115,000

• Reserve personnel: ~35,000 (Operational Reserve)

Key equipment:

• Leclerc Main Battle Tanks: ~200 operational

• VBCI Infantry Fighting Vehicles: ~600

• CAESAR self-propelled howitzers: ~80 (155mm artillery, some already donated to Ukraine)

• VBMR Griffon and Jaguar armoured vehicles (modern replacements for older systems)

The French Army is lean by Cold War standards, but modern and well-trained. It is structured for high mobility, expeditionary operations, and hybrid warfare. The army is increasingly focused on rapid deployment, thanks to a doctrine prioritising professionalism over mass mobilisation.

Naval Forces: A Blue-Water Navy with Nuclear Reach

French Navy (Marine Nationale)

• Personnel: ~36,000

Major assets:

• 1 Aircraft carrier – Charles de Gaulle (nuclear-powered, CATOBAR-capable, i.e. take-offs assisted by catapults, and landings assisted by arresting wires)

• Embarks ~30 Rafale M fighter jets, E-2C Hawkeyes for airborne early warning

• 4 Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) – the core of France’s sea-based nuclear deterrent

• 6 Rubis-class (soon to be Barracuda-class) nuclear attack submarines (SSNs)

• 15 major surface combatants – frigates and destroyers with AAW and ASW capability

• Amphibious assault ships – Mistral-class LHDs (x3)

The French Navy has genuine blue-water capacity. Her nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, has conducted sustained operations in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and even the Pacific. France is investing in a next-generation carrier (Porte-avions de nouvelle génération, or PANG) to succeed Charles de Gaulle in the 2030s, potentially displacing 70,000 tons.

Air Force: Strategic Reach and Nuclear Strike

French Air & Space Force (Armée de l’air et de l’espace)

• Personnel: ~40,000

Fighter aircraft:

• ~100 Rafale multirole fighters

• ~80 Mirage 2000 variants

• Aerial refueling & transport: A400M, C-130, MRTT tankers

• UAVs & ISR: MQ-9 Reapers, Harfangs, intelligence aircraft

• Nuclear strike component: Rafales equipped with ASMP-A nuclear cruise missiles (air-based nuclear deterrent)

France’s air force is modern, with strategic reach enhanced by its aerial tankers and heavy transport fleet. The dual conventional-nuclear capability ensures its centrality in national defence and deterrence.

Comparison with the United Kingdom

Metric	France	United Kingdom
Active personnel	~205,000 (across all services)	~148,500
Aircraft carriers	1 (nuclear, CATOBAR)	2 (conventional, STOVL)
Nuclear deterrent	Air & sea-based, independent	Sea-based, reliant on US tech
Main battle tanks	~200 LeClerc	~227 Challenger 2
GDP spent on defence	~1.9% (2023)	~2.3% (2023)
Combat aircraft	~180 (Rafale and Mirage)	~160 (Typhoon + F-35B)

While the United Kingdom has more integrated capabilities with the United States, France is arguably more strategically autonomous, with independent satellite, nuclear, and aerospace infrastructure.

French Role in Ukraine: Capable but Politically Cautious

France has supplied Ukraine with:

• CAESAR howitzers

• AMX-10RC armoured vehicles

• SCALP-EG cruise missiles (variant of UK’s Storm Shadow)

• Training for Ukrainian personnel

• Defensive equipment (radars, air defense, medical gear)

Could France send peacekeepers to Ukraine?

Yes, from a military capacity standpoint, France can deploy thousands of troops rapidly, including to hostile or unstable zones. France has long experience with multinational peacekeeping missions (e.g., Mali, Lebanon). A UK-France-led peacekeeping force would be credible—especially if the U.S. footprint remains low.

However, political consensus in Paris is cautious. President Macron has spoken about not ruling out troops, but remains reluctant to escalate ahead of EU and NATO consensus.

Technology & Industry: A European Leader

France has one of the strongest defence-industrial bases in Europe:

• Dassault Aviation (Rafale, drones)

• Naval Group (SSBNs, SSNs, aircraft carriers)

• MBDA (missile systems)

• Thales (radars, C4ISR, electronics)

It co-develops the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) with Germany and Spain—an ambitious 6th-generation fighter system planned for the 2040s.

Compared with most NATO countries, France fields a larger portion of domestically-produced weapons, which is a strategic asset in times of supply disruption.

France’s Role in NATO: Time to Step Forward?

France rejoined NATO’s integrated command structure in 2009. Since then, it has assumed larger leadership roles in EU security debates and has hosted major NATO operations and exercises.

With US ambiguity on Ukraine, France may increasingly shoulder the burden of continental defence—alongside Germany and the United Kingdom. However, to do this credibly, France would need to increase its defence spending beyond 2% of GDP, which President Macron has pledged to reach by 2025.

Conclusion: Strategic Pillar, or Underutilised Potential?

France possesses all the ingredients of a major military power: a nuclear deterrent, power projection via her navy and air force, and a sophisticated defence industry. Compared to her European peers, France is uniquely placed to respond to the shifting security order, especially in Ukraine.

But strategic capability must be paired with political will. If the US does retreat from NATO leadership, France may be required to take greater responsibility, potentially in tandem with a more militarised Germany and the United Kingdom.

Whether France embraces that role—or hesitates—may determine the security future of the European continent.