France was right - there, I said it!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Today we dive into the strategic evolution of France's military independence and its profound impact on European defense. Explore how France's historic skepticism toward American dominance in NATO sparked a journey toward self-reliance that is reshaping European military strategies today. From Charles de Gaulle's visionary policies to modern France's role as a global defense leader, this video unpacks the narrative of European defense autonomy.
What We'll Cover:
Historic Shifts: How France's withdrawal from NATO's integrated command under Charles de Gaulle set the stage for European military self-reliance
.
Modern Implications: The relevance of France's approach in today's geopolitical climate, particularly against the backdrop of recent challenges posed by global leaders.
France's Defense Products:
Dassault Rafale Fighter Jet: A cornerstone of French military exports, renowned for its advanced capabilities and recent upgrades.
Leclerc XLR Tank: France’s latest innovation in armored warfare, featuring cutting-edge anti-drone technology and a remote-controlled turret.
Barracuda Class Submarines: Critical to France's naval strategy, offering enhanced stealth and combat features.
CAESAR Self-Propelled Howitzer: A highly mobile artillery system that has seen significant demand due to its proven effectiveness.
Economic Impact: Analysis of how France's focus on local defense procurement has bolstered its economy and defense industry.
European Defense Collaboration: Insights into how France’s initiatives are influencing other European nations towards a more integrated defense posture.
Join us as we delve into how France's strategic autonomy has not only enhanced its own defense capabilities but also encouraged a broader European movement towards self-reliance. Understand the key products and technologies driving France’s defense strategy, their impact on global markets, and what this means for the future of NATO and European defense cooperation.
Music by MaxKoMusic - maxkomusic.com
All pictures and logos sourced from open sources or with the consent from the owner or rights holder, or with the implicit right of fair use.
#france #canada #europe
In this video I talk about how Trump Losing Europe's arms market will cost the US astronomically, it seems popular - so it might be worth your time: th-cam.com/video/UCPtt7PC1fc/w-d-xo.html Have a great weekend, mes amis. And, please bear in mind that if you swear in the comments youtube automatically removes the comment, so let's keep it in a civil European tone, no?
Technically, it's not "France" who questioned it.. it's mostly only De Gaulle.
HE - alone - is the reason France matters somewhat still today : nuclear independance, bullet trains, Concord plane, social security, a seat at the UN..
De Gaulle *SAVED* France more than any other leaders, short of Charlemagne.
Europe seems to struggle looking after it's own borders, maybe those countries that want their independence from the US should focus their armed forces on that before they look for ventures further afield.
@ At the end of the day, it's all about *leadership* .
Nations are strong when one generation births strong leaders.
Right now, US and Russia are strong. And Euro leaders are weak.
If Churchill and/or De Gaulle were still around, Trump would not have such a free ride. 😉
@@goofygrandlouis6296 No he wasn't the only one, French leaders began questioning the reliance on the US after the Suez expedition in 1956 when they, alongside Britain and Israel, tried to seize back the Suez canal that had been nationalized by Egyptian president Nasser a few months earlier. They were met with American attacks on the Franc and the Pound, and Soviet threats of nuclear bombs on Paris, so they had to withdraw and hand Nasser the win. After that debacle, French leaders decided to launch an independent nuclear program - and De Gaulle had absolutely no responsibility at the time (he came back thanks to a coup 2 years later)
De Gaulle was also not the reason we got social security, that is thanks to the socialists and communists who governed France after WWII
He deserves some of the credit but most French leaders of the postwar (especially left-wing) were also crucial in building that independence from the US
@@goofygrandlouis6296
We have BIG differences on what a strong leader is. A narcissistic, autocratic idiot who only gets the answers he wants because he surrounds himself with sycophantic is a disaster waiting to happen, as Putin has shown for Russia and Trump - and I suspect Xi when the history is written - will do for the US and China.
Their all pseudo alphas rather than real ones. A true alpha is a leader but is concerned with the welfare of the group, whether, nation, tribe, pack, whatever their leading. Not ignorant thugs who are primary concerned with their own ego's and quick satisfaction.
Putin may unfortunately 'win' in Ukraine because potential allies have dragged their feet too much and now he has a friend in Washington who is more concerned with cementing his own autocratic power than the US's long term interest but he has bled his country dry, even without 20+ years of chronic corruption and suppression of any alternative views which has starved Russia of a lot of potential.
French here, never read so much pro French comments in a row, how refreshing
Bien d'accord avec ce que tu dis!
I'm from USA, and I love France! I'm jealous of the French. Please save us from ourselves!
ahah ptn oui ça fait bizarre hein, Nique ouai France ! (ou pas, nique le FN et Macron)
Don't get used to it :D
For once they don’t bash us for surrendering 🤓
Being French, I naturally value independence from foreign powers, but beyond that, I have never understood the reliance on American equipment purely from an economic perspective:
Money spent on domestic industries is not lost, it is simply redistributed to workers, engineers, and local economies. In contrast, money spent on U.S. equipment is truly lost, as it leaves the national and European economic cycle entirely.
It's not many European countries who can produce their own equipment. The US have delivered top quality, reliable partner for spare parts and of course political goodwill in Washington DC.
And when you buy from the US, the US buys from you. So the money isn't completely lost.
😂😂😂@@Windsor1492
@@Windsor1492 _"It's not many European countries who can produce their own equipment"_ That isn't true. There has historically been more factories in Europe, but these have closed due to reliance on the US. However, with Trumps return to the oval office and threatening the allies of the US, there are many of these factories that are being restarted by the governments of the countries they're based in. Take my own native country of Denmark as an example, as we are restarting our consumable defense factory again (essentially anything that exits a gun, turret, launcher, etc.) There's also the municipality of Odense, which is directly requesting the Danish Naval Forces to utilize Harbor in Odense for more than just servicing the naval fleet, aka getting all future ships built and serviced in Denmark as well as supplying other EU members. The previously mentioned factory is also supposed to export its products to the rest of EU. The same is happening in Poland, Italy, Spain, etc.
@Arterexius I wasn't thinking about individual factories. Denmark has to rely on foreign suppliers.
@MN-vz8qm The reasoning behind this is not entirely correct. When a country chooses to import certain products some labour and capital that is not used to produce them is freed to produce other goods that may be exported to "pay" for the imports, and this can be actually a better deal in many cases. Simple example: you can build 100 cars and 50 guns all for internal consumption, OR, if you are good at building valuable cars, you could build 200 cars, export 100, and buy 70 guns with the proceeds. In practice however Europe is potentially pretty good at building arms too, so "buying european" might make sense
Canadian here, France is right
Oui, le canada restera INDÉPENDANT !!!! VIVE LE CANADA et vive le Québec francophone !
Yea, you just hate America. That's why France is "right."
I’m an American and I think France is right, she is a superpower in her own right and should maintain a powerful domestic military industry, and especially with how unashamedly pro-Russia Trump and the Republican Party are they’re being completely vindicated for doing so
Brit living in France. I have never been subjected to any bad comments from French people. Never had a day unemployed. Very positive after almost 30 years
That's because you brits are such sweet people!! I loved the two times I had British neighbors (and they were happy they could speak English to me hehe)
We are all on the same side
Couldnt agree more,40yrs and i have my ups and downs with the locals.Its mainly ups now i understand them.
Nothing surprising.
I’m French, from the southwest. Here, British people have come, been respectful of our laws and land, and have revitalized abandoned villages, abbeys, and châteaux.
Of course, we hold them in high regard.
I won’t say that old prejudices don’t exist, but they quickly fade as soon as people get to know their neighbors.
I'm in the UK, and I would prefer stronger ties with Europe and less reliance on the US.
As a Brit.... Yes, but we do not have to give up our sovereignty to do so. JEF or an updated version of it is the way forward for European security. The French and Germans will not join until they have too because it is a UK initiative. Yet those two countries know better than most that the UK is an Ally that you can rely on... just look at the history books 1815 - to date. And before anyone say's it .... Brexit is irrelevant, it gives the UK the authority to make alliances which best suits the UK
Being French, I agree. Every time we have undertaken a joint project with the UK, it has resulted in a masterpiece, from the Concorde to the Channel Tunnel, to the recent Storm Shadow and Meteor missiles, which rank among the best, if not the very best, currently available worldwide.
Today, Airbus is proving that when Europeans join forces, they can not only compete but even surpass the best, as seen in its ongoing dominance over Boeing.
@@alan9466 AUKUS, il y avait la France dedans ?
Moi je milite plutôt d'abord pour travailler à une constitution commune entre la France (ou l'UE) et les USA (basée sur les droits et libertés fondamentaux de l'individu bien sur), et que tout citoyens sous cette constitution (de France (ou de l'UE) et des USA) soient égaux devant cette constitution ! ...
We forgive you guys this time. You can return, but don't try again to be the USA of Europe. We are 27 and not only UK, Germany or France. Im portuguese, your oldest ally and history show us that you did all to split portuguese empire and leave us sinking in misery. We should have strong allies and not the only strong nation in the alliance. Let's be mates again
@@federalisteconstitutionnel France was ruled out at an early stage..sorry. You want to hold up the USA as a beacon of equality and fairness??? The country is fundamentally bigoted and racist; they have no compassion for the sick or the poor. Considering they are the richest country in the world the educational standard of the average American is appalling. The way Dump has started his second term I think there will be serious civil unrest and the USA will collapse in the same way as the USSR .
This is where the American bashing of France comes from. It starts from the moment De Gaulle told them "No" when it was necessary. Before that, they were rather Francophile since their war of independence.
And came back again when Chirac said NO to the war in Irak. Along with the germans, the russians, and so on and so on. But only France was blamed, shamed and mocked.
Yet another thing to never forget.....nor forgive.
>Before that, they were rather Francophile since their war of independence.
US francophilia periode, 1780-1783, that is pretty much it. As soon as war was over won by the french, the US has done everything in her power to fuck over France.
- Didn’t pay back France what the war cost her.
- Signed a separate peace that assured that nor France, Spain or Netherlands could gain territories in America on the Brit.
It took them about 40 years to figure out how to lay it down on paper but by 1823, with the 'Monroe Doctrine’, it was quite clear US never was a french ally, would it be under monarchy, republic or empire.
You are absolutely right…. I m French and American now , so many people ask for years ….why the French don’t like the American……. We love them do not dictate our life and thank you for De Gaulle …. You just give everybody the answer
I understand better. Thanks you
@@padriandusk7107The US propaganda campaign to smear French as cowards is hard to forgive.
My deepest respect to the French. Your country was devastated in two world wars and you tried to warn the rest of us. Glad people are waking up!
We need to de-americanise here the only good things from america is the 1st and 2nd amendments. And those Europe would enforce not cower.
Thank you very much, it means a lot to me. Our country has paid dearly, very dearly, for the defense of Freedom and we have never fallen prey to fascism. We paid 1.5 million men during the WWI, and 600,000 men during the second. The main operations during these two wars took place on our soil, many of our cities and architectural jewels were completely destroyed. So thank you !
France lost the war on Muslim immigration just like UK. Europe is falling
@@tomboura8951 *after you first sold my country to the Nazis in 1938 but yes eventually France did sort of fight the nazis before capitulation
@tomboura8951 you fell twice! Surrendered your country, twice! I wouldn't trust the safety of Europe if France was a part of it.
Yank here. I'm with France on this one too. Vive la France et vive le Europa.
❤
i love yanks. our nations have fought and died together. we should not be enemies. its sad to see trump antagonise americas historical allies. he is like a foriegn agent destroying the US from within
Just get deported to Europe😂
Vive l'amitié Franco-Britannique après 2000 ans de glorieuse bataille épique et de combat acharner !
Dane here. Thanks to France and 100% support to France
I'll 2nd that wholeheartedly -
unfortunately after the first mandate of Trump most northern and eastern European countries, uncluding Denmark, still refused the idea of an european army (cause of loosing influence, funny when you give it all to the US) and kept buying american weapons
The only path to avoid everyone to be picked one after another is to cooperate with people we are almost familly with. Hard when fascists are raising everywhere in Europe when need democracy to keep people in charge of their futur and social justice so people are not angry at each other.
I hope our fucking stupid government don't fuck up this one too.
Support to you guys in those cloudy times from France!
@@weitlingD3P and yet Denmark always refused to give away any influence to bigger European countries by being diluted in an European army with central command, even after trumps first mandate. You way too late
As a french, it has warmed my heart that there is somewhere online where we are appreciate for something we do right and not just get insulted and critisized on the base we are french
I can echo this. It's been mostly bad news for the last few decades in France and the recurring French bashing is tiresome. So a little bit of rare positivity is welcome. Trump is horrible, but that's maybe what it takes to trigger changes in Europe and become less dependent on a bully country.
You have a beautiful country
thank you all mates
Half the internet is dead the other half is state controlled bots pushing the colonial brand on european countries. Ignore the noise
Je suis bien d'accord avec toi. N'oublie pas Kipling disant
"Si tu peux supporter d'entendre tes paroles
Travesties par des gueux pour exciter des sots,
Et d'entendre mentir sur toi leurs bouches folles
Sans mentir toi-même d'un seul mot ;"
La france est un petit coin d'Eden, dans l'europe de l'ouest qui est un coin de paradis.
Brit here, Not offended. 100% Agree with you, I've always admired France's military independence and prowess in their defence industry. I stand with France on this.
As a Canadian, I agree with you, though I'm not ready to declare America as a hostile threat.
Trump is a chicken.
He'd never commit forces to a long-term engagement.
Outside of his limited presidential reactionary forces, he needs Congress on his side to go to war.
Europe needs to have a strong military force so it can resist and temper the paranoia and overreaction to every bump in the night the US has.
First is to walk away from the idea of the US as the reserve currency and limit investments there.
Canada needs to stop taking the East money from the US and start selling our resources to Europe. We have lots to sell.
We just need investments to help get it done.
the whole EU should stand with France on this.
French here, we can build something all together and I would be glad if all Europe countries could assemble and build up their own defense, IA and energy
French are cowards
@@cwpv2477 Independence in their defence industry and procurement. They dont need to buy arms from anyone else nor ask permission to use said arms. The same cannot be said about a lot of militaries.
And the same can be said for any nuclear capable country - it's called MAD for a reason, anyone shoots a nuke, we're all done for.
im an american in france and things here make more sense, i feel more free, theres a more concrete sense of fairness and justice. these values are truly part of their core which in the us its just a meaningless shroud
Ça fait plaisir à entendre ^^. Merci!
Funny you would say that. Moved to the US in 99, from France. Struggled for years with the difference in core values btwn these countries. On freedom of expression, justice, political discourse, absurd inversion in what/where/when laissez-faire is applied, role of capitalism in society, entrepreneurship, etc.
Read a few 'culture shock' books to understand better. One particularly helped: "Why we like France but not the French", written by a Canadian couple. Very insightful and spot on wrt the many diametrically opposite public / private spheres btwn these 2 cultures.
Also you can go to a fireworks display without feeling an ingrained need to duck and cover.
@@raphofthehills4405 Vivre là-bas, c'est perpétuer le crime contre les Amérindiens.
Je souhaite beaucoup de courage à tes compatriote Nord-Américain pour les 4 années à venir... Les valeurs dont tu parle sont en train de fondre comme neige au soleil par chez vous et le résultat finale ne sera pas jolie ni glorieux.
As an Italian, I agree with our French cousins, we all need to take a step back, understand that the Second World War ended 80 years ago and defend our continent by putting aside anachronistic nationalisms. As individual nations we cannot respond to external threats, as a continent we can.
I would much rather help out France, who's values and ideas align much more with our own, than Americans which have always seen us as a pet
Italy is doing a very good job too at the moment, of course it has ties to the US but imo they are on the right way for a sovereign defence, just need less trade with the US
Unfortunately there's a very big split between Western/Nordic and Eastern Europe in a gazillion social issues that make a unified Europe very hard to accomplish.
@@DrVictorVasconceloswe can start small. With something every country would agree on IS a main concern for all of us. That would be Defense. United we stand, divided we fall.
For starters I would think we need a defensive pact that is a bit stricter on policies of mutual defense than NATO’s article 5 is. We need something more easily enforceable so nobody can chicken out when sh!t hits the fan.
Then the creation of a separate European standing ground forces army whose sole purpose is to defend the national sovereignty (Nation sovereignty mind you. NOT the national interests of any particular country that it’s composed of, we don’t need them to shed blood for the possible colonial and economic interests of any given nation) of the countries its soldiers hail from. (Ideally the whole of the E.U for starters. Then see if other countries like the U.K are willing to join the party). We can worry about having 1 single Army, Navy and Air Force later down the line. When everybody is settled in with the idea of this new pan-european defense forc e.
For that: We would also need to adapt and merge our various military industrial complexes.
Easier said than done. I know especially considering everybody would be fighting over who gets to develop what for whom.
But for starters I would say: No more buying from anyone else. European defense tax funds must remain in Europe. We develop and buy our own stuff. But of course, it might be hard for example to convince some people in landlocked countries like Austria or Czechia to spend their hard earned money on taxes for a new aircraft carrier which is why we would also need to organize that spending not just in regards of how much % of GDP is spent on defense. But also in what areas is it spent on.
All of this at this point is of course pure fantasy. But if there’s one thing that is certain is that we Europeans need to rely on each other and no one else. We’re surrounded by all sides by great powers that clearly now only seek to exploit and bully us. We HAVE to show them we’re not willing to be defenseless and submissive anymore.
@@DrVictorVasconcelosit can be done. Just because yanks in Maine and yanks in Louisianna apparently speak the same language ( they don't)...don't think the United States are any more united than Europe. In fact having been lucky enough to travel all over Europe and the US for work, the European people whatever colour creed etc.. are more united in a common sense of culture, history and values than the USA is. Nowhere is perfect. Utopia doesn't exist. But Europe is a bloody good starting point because of those shared horrors whoever was on what side at the time.
As a northern English man im not offended at all, im with the French.
Et les vrais Français avec vous!
just gonna screen shot that for ya bud.......
Move to France then.
As a southern English man, I too am not offended, I'm with the French.
@@7heGrandTouristI would but some morons voted to leave the EU.
I'm also not offended.
The French foreign minister put it best last autumn - "We cannot leave the security of Europe in the hands of voters in Wisconsin every 4 years". The French have been right about an awful lot of foreign affairs issues for a very, very long time, and it's a shame that the conceit of our leaders stopped them seeing that fact. They were right to develop energy independence decades before it was fashionable, they were right to develop a powerful domestic military industrial complex, they were right to develop their own hardware, right to stay out of Iraq, right on the Azerbaijan/Armenia conflict and many more calls besides. It's frankly embarrassing for the rest of us how often they have been right, and how often they have been ignored. Europe needs to develop its own strategic autonomy as an international bloc, to be able to operate independently of the USA, which has always been a pretty terrible ally (a fact that is being revealed by Trump's brash behaviour).
Merci!
USA is a cynical player, yes. But USA only looks bad if you never had the pleasure of being in the Russian sphere of influence. And right now Western Europe is not doing anything serious to increase Eastern Europe's safety. I'd much rather be an american vassal than be left with some kind of empty promise of European defense.
Not only that, the awful US education is a national security problem
Or France needs to leave the European Union, starts acting for its own interests - France is a global country, not solely a European one, even if the mainland is in Europe but there are many more cards to be played that nobody is looking after right now. The whole concept of the EU, as you have accidentally decribed it, is to isolate and undermine France in every aspects that you have described. The United states's interests used to be represented by both the UK and Germany, now only Germany is in charge as a lap dog to the US. Macron is himself such a lap dog. An independant France will be a force for good and peace. I truly believe that
You can truly believe that and be truly completely and totally wrong on such a profound level, if you like. France has - and does - conduct a robustly independent foreign and security policy, but leaving the EU is something that actually would create the isolation that you seem to think France is currently suffering from. And it's not. And France is no-one's lapdog more than any other European nation precisely because of many of the capabilities outlined in the video above. Being influenced by other powers (especially your close allies and neighbours) came free with being a nation state on planet earth and leaving the EU would massively reduce France's ability to project influence in return, just as it has the UK's.
There are literally no advantages for France in leaving the EU, and I'm not even convinced you know what the EU does.
I secretly have admired France not just for their culture, history and grandeur, but for being such a proud nation and having their own path and independent thinking, without caring what others think of them. ❤🇫🇷
Well, as a french (and also Swis, which means, that like all dual nationals, I have an inside and outside perspective), I think it is important to be aware of and to reflect on what others think of you, and changing one's mind can be a good idea, but it should not make you a weather vane turning to all the contrary winds you experience.
On this however, I agree: we are in Europe. The USA will never do anything that is not first in their own interest. When we followed them (Libya) we made a HUGE mistake.
"No nation has friends only interests" - Charles de Gaulle
... that can be shared
Nice attempt at demonstration. But as systematic, idealistic and unattainable as what the USSR ended up becoming until its final voluntary dissolution. The pseudo-European "bloc" is Washington's instrument for reclaiming Hitler-Mussolini's "New Europe" for its own ends. The challenge for France is to resist its programmed disappearance in a federal EU: no to the EU as a State! France is a nation that must regain its independence: it needs neither the EU nor NATO, the civilian and military faces of the same American hegemonic medal. Fortunately, the world is changing!
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal" - Henry Kissinger
It can have allies…
@@crollalanza6476 France is the one speaking for building a federal EU, so I'm a bit confused.
German here. Since 2004, when the US attacked Iraq on grounds of a bunch of lies, my trust in the US has been in decline. Europe must unite financially, politically and most of all militarily. The French had it right all the way.
now please make the German government more acquiescent to French proposals in joint military ventures like the 6th generation fighter jet. maybe in turn the French get more acquiescent to German proposals for the next main battle tank.
Portuguese here and I agree. There have been several wake-up calls throughout the last couple of decades but European politicians just looked the other way. It's time for us to unite as Europeans and work closer together.
Don't you have some russian gas to buy, fool?
The problem with a common defense is the contractors, each country will fight tooth and nails to get their defense companies all the contracts they can. A true military union will only happen after we make an actual European Federation.
@embreis2257i would Vote for any Party that Supports that the Problem is none is for it.
As a Brit, I have no hesitation to say that the French are absolutely right. I'm embarrassed about how reliant the UK is on the US (even before Trump), and Brexit makes things even worse. We should develop more of our own military equipment, be more closely linked to our European neighbours and take our place in a standing European army.
Think most in EU would love the same. But also abit scary when you are so close to US
As a German, 100% agreed.
Each of us is too small to deter the hostile great powers (USA, Russia, China) alone,
so we need to work together to contain these threats!
The sad thing being, after WWII, the UK had a solid military industry and an edge on tech and science. The slow downfall was due to political decisions allowing the USA to take the lead on foreign policy and defense.
@@julienboyer That is Capitalism and for some reason sociopaths thrive at the top of that kind of system.
Do you really trust the Europeans on defence, though? A lot of them are near-pacifists. Poland doesn't trust them, for sure, and are looking after their own defence. And if I were Polish I;d do exactly the same.
Also remember " freedom fries"? That's right, the french never believed the WMD lies about Iraq.
@@cwpv2477 Where ?
@@cwpv2477 almost every one of them took their independence and they also can attended a local vote to get independent of they have more than 50% of yes they are free to go. It's call "la loi-cadre"
now we have a lot of litle island that expend our ZEE but only few are a lot populated
@@cwpv2477 Can you pinpoint a french colony in Africa? As a french citizen I'm interested.
As a frenchman I'd like to clarify two things :
1. We don't call them "french fries" here, in fact I don't think any nation besides the US and Canada call them that
2. They come from Belgium, you guys only started calling them that because your soldiers during the first world war were deployed in Belgium and the north of France and tasted them, and since everyone there was speaking french they just assumed the fries were french too
As a Dane i support France 100% bien joué!
@alika5771 That was when you where an Alli. Think we all have woken up and see where US is standing. So trust me that will change.
@@fakkel321 cannot even see his post but must been something special.. thumbs up just in case :_D
@@n00blamer
@@n00blameri saw what he said You Danes are ashamed right now. Danes are screaming to buy european but has never done so themselves. They are talking about a Nordic alliance but rejected it when it was proposed years ago. You even spied on my country Sweden dor years in 2014 on behalf of USA. Yet you speak of your neighbours as family. You made your bed. Deal with it yourself like my country did non aligned for many years
I just wish we could cancel the F-35
Australian here. My country has been served poorly for many years now by weak-kneed, ignorant governments from both sides of politics The deal to buy Barracuda subs was poorly handled from start to finish. We blamed France for delays, but we were asking them to convert a nuclear-powered submarine to diesel-electric - a near impossible task. And then what do we do? Buy American nuclear boats! None of which have been delivered, and I suspect none will ever be, since the US can't build Virginia class boats fast enough for their own needs. My apologies to France, for what it's worth.
AUKUS+ Canada will always rely on the usa
Sweden made good diesel submarines, silent and deadly.
It is apreciated. Whatever happens between our countries, we don't forget Villers-Bretonneux, and the sacrifice of their lives australians gave for France. I am not from this town, but know that in the recreation area of the school the words "do not forget Australia" are written in english
@@juhajuntunen7866 Thats great, but they also have short range, so can't patrol to say the South China Sea which is what the Australians NEED. Thats the reason they dropped the conventional Submarine design to switch to a Nuclear Boat.
Its not because they are idiots, its because their Strategic situation has changed since the Barracuda's were envisaged, and now the Royal Australian Navy requires submarines that can spend 80 days of a 90 day patrol on Station, rather than the 40 days of a 90 day patrol you get with a conventional submarine because it takes them that long to get to their station.....
Alright OP.
1) The first boats the Australians are getting are Los Angeles boats, mostly for the purposes of training.
2) The Virginia Class Boats they are getting are not the end goal, they are simply there to give the capability until 3.
3) The new Australian Nuclear submarine in development is using a modified Astute Class hull, with a mix of American and Australian systems. While the first hull will be built (I believe) in the UK, the REST are supposed to be built in Australia. They will be using the newer US fully enclosed reactors, which have a projected 35 year lifespan so will require zero refuelling during the life of the submarine. Those new reactors that do not require the massive infrastructure of previous generation reactors are what makes the Australian Nuclear Submarine Project possible.
4) The change to a Nuclear Submarine was not some random decision, which you seem to be incapable of understanding. The barracuda's design process began at a time when Australia's strategic position was very different. China if not friendly, was at least conciliatory. Since then however China's position has become increasingly hostile towards Australia and Australian interests.
That means Australia needs a Submarine that can traverse the pacific quickly, without ever coming to the surface, and spend 80 days out of a 90 day tour on its patrol station. Conventional submarines, while they have their advantages, CANNOT DO THAT. They simply cannot.
The fact is the Barracuda's were no longer capable of fulfilling Australia's new Strategic requirements. No Conventional Submarine is. The contract for the design had clauses that allowed the Australian Government to pull out at any one of a series of benchmark stages. They used one of those benchmark stages to can the project. The French were fully and properly paid for all the work they had done to that point. But there is absolutely no point in continuing with a platform that no longer fulfils even basic requirements. That is a literal damned poster child for wasting money.
If you WANT the Australian Government to WASTE your precious Tax dollars, continue your idiotic support for the Barracuda. If you do NOT want the Australian Government to waste your money, go with the Nuke Boats. Frankly they should have switched over much, much earlier.
The only good thing Trump will bring is a more united Europe. Greetings from Spain.
Indeed Benica , we must stronger together , a stronge Europe , greetings from the Netherlands to my southern brothers and sisters .
I could not have written that better myself! Viva Europe ❤✌🏻 Greetings from Denmark 🧙🏻♂️🇩🇰
A stronger Europe is good. A stronger European Union is not.
But Spain is a BRICS nation?😼
@@theshore78do you understand what it means
Europe needs to think about Europe. Exactly.🇫🇷 🇪🇺
Im German and all for a more united Europe. We all should’ve listened more to our French neighbors.
DANKE. Ich schlage jedoch vor, dass Sie es korrigieren, indem Sie die britische Schreibweise anstelle der amerikanischen verwenden. Also "neighbours" und nicht "neighbors".
Your politicians are destroying France interests in Europe for decades now doing everything they could to block France in European market and help them buy american instead, from France proposing to build nuclear reactors in Eu countries blocked by Germany so they turned to Russian gas and American nuclear reactors to blocking the FCAS, IRIS 2 and even the MGCS to stall France so that american compagnies would replace them before Germany unlock the situation.
@@jeanpierrechoisy6474 You made a little typo probably by typing too fast and repeated the US spelling both times (forgot the "u" in the first "neighbours") and I 100% agree with you.
It has always been something I make sure to follow and use the British spelling instead (maybe because as a French I am biased towards the British spelling which is more closely related to French than the US spelling).
Vote afd then
@@rsl08 they did not, only if you hit translate because it uses American english
As a French I've never seen so many positive comments about France and its policies. Don't do that too often, we're not used to it, the culture shock is huge. Great video by the way !
France is absolutely right on this issue. Macron has a long history of saying things i agree with, at least when it comes to EU foreign policy.
@ That may be only thing he is right about...
yeah me too. I am going to book some counselling sessions to recover from the shock.
French smart country, they have secure nuclear energy, excellent aircraft carrier and good car manufacturer congrats from Italy 🇮🇹
As a French I am glad we managed to build fantastic boat with Italy , the horizon class and the FREMM are top notch !
As well as the SAMP/T ! A technological success !
French here, and I'm proud we develop weapons together. The anti-aircraft system we made is best in the world. France and Italy are brother countries. I salute you, friend.
@@bertrandmarion1927 Costa concordia
We French should be closer to our transalpine cousins! And make EU great again
Building on Bertrandmarion's comment, i'm also very happy that the FREMM is made jointly with Italy =)
As a Dane I’m glad that we’re having France as a close allied, it’s nice to know who’s your reliable and trustworthy allies. ❤🇩🇰❤🇫🇷 ❤
🙏🏻🇨🇵
no i'm glad we have you*
As a French and truly believer in European unity, I never understood why our European neighbors don’t embrace a European armed forces and that we are not able to do more in producing more common gear. They are some brilliant collaborations in europe like the A400M, the eurocopters, the scalp shadow missiles, the Eurofighter (without the French), why can’t we get our politicians to do even more? Why European countries keep on dishing out billions on us equipment when together we can do better and cheaper? And when I say Europeans that definitely includes the brits, there is no Europe without you guys!
America lobbies hard to keep Europe separated and small. I hope Europe unites more now and we don’t give more power to far right nationalists. Greetings from Germany.
Because there were never any common military goals among the larger European countries. People act like France was right all along now, but don’t forget that the French military has solely been used to fight in their former colonies for the last 80 years, not defending the European front.
@@fridrekr7510 never saw something that untrue, I invite you to do a simple google search on where French army have been those past 50 years and there ex colony aren't in majority.
@@fridrekr7510 French here and you're 100% correct on the former part. We were indeed right all along on the dangers of relegating our defence autonomy to the US for short term gains, but its also very true that contrary to what most people tell, EU countries have very different national interets to uphold with their militaries, which is the real reason its hard to build a common army.
Eastern states want conventional land forces detterance to scare away potential aggressors, while western states want strong Navies and Airforces, for the political benefits, and in the case of France and the UK, to have some level of deterance for their oversea territories not covered by article 5
Oui j suis d’accord à 100%!
I am born and bred Scottish and my adopted country is France having attended schools and university in France. Thanks to my mother (a Scottish librarian) I grew up surrounded by French culture, language and literature for which I am eternally grateful. I still love my Scottish homeland and maintain strong roots there but France has been very dear to me all my life (I am 79!) and has been my permanent home for the past 22 years. 🇫🇷🏴🇫🇷
In my opinion this video sums up my views on the current situation regarding the rhetoric emanating from the current incumbent in the White House.
Scotland occupies a place close to the heart of every French person.
My fellow compatriot-by-adoption, you're the living proof that the Auld Alliance is still very much alive and kicking (a little less so when it comes to the Tournament but hey, priorities, right ? 😅)
Glory to The Auld Alliance ! I love your country and your culture too.
Auld alliance.
@@balajo8396 Could not said it better. Long live Scotland and its beautiful people ! With love from Oléron Island - France
As Brit, you're not going to up set me, I've been saying for years that we need to step away from america and work closer with our European neighbours, all the best.
If we had not let the Americans manipulate us, our economy would not be bankrupt today. They created war for us, then tariffs. They want us to be on our knees.
As Churchill said, "The US can always be trusted to do the right thing once they have exhausted every possible option". But you will be given an invoice and persuaded to purchase their kit on their terms and stop making kit that competes. The US complains at the cost of arms given as part of the moral and agreed commitment to NATO yet fail to see that they are rotating military older munitions which were soon end of life.
They have created jobs and wealth to those in high office who always benefit finically from wars. The UK has for many years given way so they can "Maintain the special relationship" this may have the correct path under stable leadership but now a child has control and creating descent in his own country we need to make other arrangements. Ukraine would not be at war today I we responded robustly but that was stopped from political infighting in the US. France, the UK have no problem with you and value your courage.
The US has deprived the UK, Canada and other countries from developing good aircraft civil and military forcing companies to be closed and the projects destroyed as part of the condition for them supplying "Protection" but it is not give when needed. I wish the US people would look past their North South divide and work together.
@WOFFY-qc9te Sorry your post is absolute nonsense the Brits and Americans have shared development of weapons ,and individually you only need to look at the weapons on the Ukraine battlefield .
@ Roland it would not be good business for the private companies manufacturing kit to share. If there is collaboration it is with UK companies like BAE in the US but under restrictions
Including independent access to autonomous GPS guidance programming which goes through US command.
The US has some very good technology but they cannot always take credit for its conception or development we are not idiots the French, British, Germans, and Dutch have some nice toys. A lot in Ukraine.
Check out US defence systems sales in the 60's and cancelled UK aeronautical, ballistic missile projects, the date coincide. Best
We in the UK joke about how we dislike the French mainly because we have through history fought against them ever since they invaded Britain in 1066 but as our closest neighbour we actually do like them more so than America which we see as a bully. We do need to stand on our own two feet specially as America is becoming Right wing. We have a history going back thousands of years and not 250 years like America. We have seen fascism in the past and know its dangers. We do not have anything in common with America's brand of Democracy.
As a Dutch person I can wholeheartedly say: we have everything we need in Europe to make a great army. The French have a great army, industry and nuclear deterrent. Poland has a massive ground army. The fins and swedes are known for their excellent armies. The Brits are known for their for their special forces. Us Dutchies for our technological capabilities and electronic warfare. And then we havent even mentioned Germany, Belgium or Italy yet.
No money means no army. With the economic problems of EU, especially Germany and France, how are we supposed to support long-term militarization?
But there is one problem.
The French don’t have a word for “entrepreneur”.
;)
@@victoryvictorious633 That's the problem with military Keynesianism. No one knows when or why arms spending strengthens or weakens an economy. We are all told that Japan got rich because it was spending so little on its military, but the fact behind that was that this savings went towards commercial R&D and production of advanced consumer goods. If it had been spent on other priorities, things might have gone much worse. Now Europe has to choose to sacrifice something that would contribute less to economic growth than military expansion. And that's a matter of very heated opinion.
@@warheadsnation true, and social programs are always hit the hardest. Let's hope for competent leadership.
@@starbase218FYI Entrepreneur is actually a French word coined by Economic philosopher Jean-Baptiste Say in the early 1800s. Entrepreneur is derived from the French verb entreprendre, usually translated as "undertaker" -i.e., one who undertakes a new venture.
British veteran here - not offended at all, agreed 100% and I've been saying for ages that De Gaulle was also correct with his misgivings over the UK joining the EEC, and proven so in 2016. He's definitely being proven correct yet again.
Vive La France ! Vive L'Europe !
Spanish here. All my support to our northern neighbour. Tye development of our military equipment is a must!
Belgian here, we purchased the F-35 instead of the Rafale… knowing that this aircraft needs upgrades from USA every three days, what if Trump decides to switch them off??? It’s the same for Netherland and even more serious for Denmark… what happens if Trump decides to invade Greenland, a huge part of EU air forces could be useless in one second.
D'après ce que j'ai compris les F 35 ne sont armés qu'avec un accord des Usa.
The Benelux should combine our funds to purchase European fighter planes, like the Eurofighter Typhoon for example. Keep the F35 in reserve. The Dutch & Belgian air forces can’t afford to buy some planes separately, so we should combine our air forces and budgets. Just like with the Benelux navy.
@@MLWitteman
In the best case we should have a European Fighters coordination for each country to use Rafales, Typhoons and Grippens (only one model for smaller countries to not be a burden) as the three are masterpieces in their specialties and should complete each others pretty well. Typhoon as Air Superiority, Grippen being able to operate close to a potential front line and Rafale being able to perform raids on enemy territory.
Quand est-ce que Charles Michel et le MR devront rendre des comptes pour leurs politiques stupides et serviles?
@@MLWitteman The Benelux countries are wealthy enough to buy their own Eurofighters.
Greetings from Germany, we need to get more together. I support France stand on this
🖐
Ich auch ! Und Ich bin Franzausiche
1:18 _"You may be sure that the Americans will commit all the stupidities they can think of, plus some that are beyond imagination"_
(General De Gaulle right after WW2)
This man was WAY ahead of his time. A true visionary, why didn't we listen to him?
Because despite all the political leverage it already gave it, it was very convinient to let the US pay for your defense until it wasnt. So your medias painted France as the unreasonable fool and you followed.
here's another one he said in 1963 : "The truth is Americans will end up hated by everyone, including their most unconditional allies."
There is also François Mitterand who said "Our people do not realize it yet, but we are at war with the Americans. A permanent war, a vital war, an economic war, a deathless war."
Well, De Gaulle remains one of the most respected French leader, not for nothing. More so, I'm very sad that his vision was followed less and less, especially towards international politics. But people ahead of their time are almost always wrongly considered during their time, that's a general statement.
As a Brit, France feels like the only country I can live in today. Been here half my life now.
As a hungarian i can only appreciate France's efforts to bolster European self-reliance. Great country, great people! I stand with France!
What about your leader who loves the tyrant poutine ? do you like him or wish he was not your leader, or be more pro-Europe than pro-Russia ?
@@Roger-Hypersonic just because one is from one country doesn't make them full @$$ kisser of their leader...
just because Trump was elected for a second time doesn't make ALL US citizens (insert unflattering qualification)
Democracy does have its flaws that are very efficiently abused by the populists...
@@Roger-Hypersonic Orbán loves Orbán. He will go where he feels the wind is blowing.
Merci à vous !
Can we consider Hungary as European while it's the biggest saboteur of the union? Go to Russia if you vote Russian
Belgian here. Vive la France!
Et vive les cousins belges !!!
@@Ebriel0000000Et les cousins québécois, pourquoi pas ?
@@er_hayot Ah soyons clairs : eux encore plus !!! Mais ne le répétez pas sinon les belges seront jaloux ;-)
@@Ebriel0000000 Mais non, on aime autant les Belges que les Québécois.😀
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal" wow
When you have an "ally" like that you don't need an enemy.
Quote taken completely out of context.
@@Samuel-hd3cp That's how quotes are used and hardly ever correctly.
@@Samuel-hd3cpWhat context can save that quote? Particularly given the fact it was said by Kissinger, America's premier diplomat of the 20th century.
@@andresmartinezramos7513To be fair, the quote was Kissinger saying they should intervene to save one of the US's allies and that if they did not do that, then people would start saying *insert quote here*.
I'm not French, but I am European, and I must say, France is right about a great many things, not just about America.
France is right about Turkey being an enemy of Europe.
France is right about the need to put Russia in its place.
France is right about Germany being selfish and cowardly.
France is right about nuclear power.
Hear! Hear!
Exactly ! 😊👍
Oui monsieur
French here.
Germans selfish and cowards ... well ...
I actually rooted for german reunification, for a strong german economy, for integrated franco-german policies ... for decades.
Their refusal to save euro economy after 2008 and the subsequant stall we europeans have been linving in since then ...
Their closure of national borders (of all thingsd) during the pandemic ...
Their vetoing of Continental bonds when it would have both helped us and unit us together ...
Well it all made me realise that while when we say "us" in France we think of "us europeans" ... in Germany "us" will always be "us germans" ...
I came to realize Germany is still (for historical reasons) building it's nation, it needs to be proud of it's germanity (after 75 years of being ashamed of it).
Being so self centered, self concerned, makes them a very poor leader for europe.
Look at the facts : europe got closer and closer as long as France was the first economic power of the union, as soon as the german economy got the top seat ... europe stalled ? Why ? Germans are more concerned about germany than Europe.
In France, we had our empire, we understand deep down why it was a mistake. We do not want to dominate anymore (been there done that kind of stuff) we actually want a strong Europe. We know that is what will protect us : unity.
Germans want to show the world germany is a great country (never been there, never done that kind of stuff) if that means a strong germany in a poor europe, they would go for it (fools) ... look at what they did to Greece ...
La Russie est à sa place en Europe et se sont les américains qui nous inventent un ennemi. Ils sont à l'origine de la révolution orange et ont incité le gouvernement de kiev a bombarder sa propre population et à pratiquer un nettoyage ethnique. Les Russes ont eu raison de venir au secours des populations persécutées du Dombass. En France, on n'est pas tous prisonniers de la propagande atlantiste.
As long as I can remember, for some I've always had high regard of France and the French people. Even though France and its people are quite South and far aways to this very Finnish man from the North. And I've always absolutely hated when the Anglos have accused them of being some weak surrendering people. Which has always been ridiculous. Something only a moron of Donald's Trump's degenerate quality would say.
And it's all so very easy to yell when you're yourself an island safe beyond a sea, or even worse two massive oceans. I'd like to see how tough the Anglos would actually be, if they didn't have those nice waters protecting them. Huge luxury that neither France nor Finland ever had when fighting against an invader.
Maybe it's the revolution(s), the thrive for democracy, or the Napoleonic times when France showed the aristocratic (even degenerate) dimwits (who at the time, and for so many centuries before, ruled Europe) what real intelligent "lower" class people are capable of. Both in terms of creating a better society and warfare.
Vive la France!
England would have lost Egypt without the sacrifice of Free French in Bir Hakeim. 3000 free french stopped 10 times more germans. And all europe would speak russian now, down to Gibraltar
@JoriLindroth Thank you so much🙏
@@CaptainDangeax How many French fought against the allies in North Africa. It's not something talked about but Vichy soldiers killed allied soldiers.
@@Lawrence4000-s3k Un soldat a le devoir de suivre les ordres. Si tu avais servi, tu le saurais, au lieu de faire appel à l'émotionnel tel un planqué
@@CaptainDangeax That was what the Nazis said!
Can you confirm that French soldiers, sailors and airmen did indeed fight against the allies in N. Africa?
I'm Canadian, and I agree the French were right.
Oui, vive le canada indépendant et vive le Québec francophone !!!
You guys should join the European Union.
Im from the UK and dare i say it.. respect the French!
Indonesian here 🙌 we really put effort to make France become our strategist ally in defence and military
As a Brit living in France I agree 100% ...Europe as 1 is the only way forward..we should trust the US as much as we trust Russia. Together we stand strong.
The United Nations of Europe doesn't sound too bad
@@Fairbranksthecat European Federation maybe?
@@roccociccone597 Sounds good too 👍🏻
I would trust Russia, but I would not trust the US anymore.
Well said. I too am a Brit living in France and I agree 🙂
I'm a Brit and see it now more than ever: we are better with the rest of Europe and united. Visiting other Euro nations and making so many friends there i feel stronger ties now and also very stupid; once thinking badly of our neighbours. I could go on. Great video!
As a former Danish Official / Engeneer in the Army, I fully agree outlines set forth in the video
"Vive la France" from the Auld Alliance😊😊
Scotland is our best friend, from centuries ;) .
We have everything here in Europe to be the best. As a dutchman I hope we finally be more united and independent. Glad we ordered our subs from france. They where right from
The start
We have Rutte being the secretary-general of NATO , I'm wondering how this will play out ?
As a French I feel honored, knowing the power and brightness of both today and past Dutch's ! You guys were super sailors.
I also believe we have everything we need
If you have everything, why do so many countries in Europe import Russian oil? Gaining energy independence is the first thing you need for success.
To my friends in France, particularly the guys in the armed forces, I apologize in advance for my horrible pronounciation of your politicians and military equipment names. French is tough!
Nah Suomi is a fuckton harder !
Great work. No offense taken on your pronounciation. United in diversity = EU members stand together.
Don't worry! You're doing just fine!
Your French pronounciation sounds great ! Fully support your analysis of De Gaulle's vision, still valid in 2025: France is a reliable Western ally, but France decides for France. This means autonomous military decisions for engagements + materials produced & exported + nuclear fire. Of course, France willingly participates in NATO operations, under French or allied direction. NB: France is fully committed to article 5 of NATO (if one member is attacked, France will support attacked ally).
Your video is right, but France have a big issue with mass production capabilities.
British here. I am not annoyed by this video - props to the French where it's due, we should've saved our defence industry and kept it free from US influence too. Time and time again we put far too much trust in the US defence establishment, only to get stabbed in the back, and went from world leaders in jet aircraft to bit-part players in the F35 story. Hopefully Tempest can get us back on track.
Those who don’t speak French probably don’t know what a brilliant strategist, statesman and leader Charles De Gaulle was. He warned about all the excesses and issues that plague us today.
His analysis and definition of the capitalism, the UK which shouldn't join the EEC, the USA, the USSR, China, india, the whoile world, his vision of the future were all incredible if we considere the "things" he had at his disposals to make hsi analysis and statements. I have read most writers about De Gaulle, and read his own memories... the worst flaw he had was that he was clever alot but was too easy to show it ! He had a great brain but was using it too much and had a pedantic way to show it because we should not forget that he was a man of the end of the 19th century !
De Gaulle was the right man at right time at the right place. I have a huge admiration for the very junior general and the even more junior politician who by the sheer force of his personality became the undisputed leader of the Free French even though Roosevelt did everything short of murdering him to push him out
As a colonel before the war he even advocated for the French to adopt tactics very similar to the Blitzkrieg tactics the Germans would use. This was done independently of any knowledge of blitzkrieg which would only become a known thing once the war started. Unfortunately French high command ignored him and even asked him to stop his efforts...
@@user-aero68 De Gaulle even theorised the bltzkrieg even before the german thought about it... Guderian in its memories said he had read De Gaulle"s books... The problems is that the french army was too conservative and had won the WWI, De Gaulle's ideas were too revolutionary and were proning the attack strategy, the ones which killed hundreds of thousands of French in the 2 first years of the Great War... The french mentality was too much defensive, and the fact France was by far the Ally which have suffered the most in WWI (apart of Serbia), it has done the disaster of 1940.
Excellent video - and yes, France is way ahead of the rest of Europe. Thank God, France is France🇫🇷🇩🇰
Denmark should have bought Rafale, Gripen or Eurofighter, instead of the F-35s.
Yea, that was a stupid move, just as Germany, Norway and many others.
De Gaulle knew what to expect because he had been dealing with US executives while exiled in London, and this, from the moment USA planned to free Europe from nazies in order to stop Russia’s communist threat and restore economical bond and interest.
So as a wise leader he steered away from US orbit.
He was the providential man that France was lucky to have.
He shaped most of todays France.
And he even shaped the UN its De Gaule who made France enter security council
@@Raphi4122 not totally right... I mean, yes, he wished and did all to obtain it... but he obtained it because and only because Churchill put all his weight in the balance. Roosevelt was fully opposed, China had no words to say and at best, Stalin didn't care truly. France had also a strong communist parti, representing about 30% of the men in 1945 and if you had SFIO (cosialists) and center left (social radicals), about 50% of the Frnech were left wingers in 1945. Roosevelt thought France was finished, "terminated"" and had no importance anymore, plus he wanted to punish her for choosing De Gaulle and for 1940 disaster which brought USA azt war far before he wanted to enter in (even if Japanese attack on pearl harbour is commonly accepted as the reason to enter war... Most Historians agreed that USA trapped Japan to do the first bad move).
I'm British and I completely agree with you. I have nothing against America or the America people, but we are Europeans, and should be able to take care of our own defence.
As a Frenchman, it is my hope and wish to see a stronger Europe standing together against anyone that tries to intimidate us, whether coming from the East or the West.
As a European, I'm eternally grateful for the help we received from the USA during WW2, but I've also learned since kindergarten years never to bow to a bully. Finns never allowed Russians to bully them. I'm not surprised that they don't accept the same behaviour from the US or anyone else.
The UE (hopefully together with the UK, I have little to no doubts) will stand together with Denmark.
Une France libre est indépendante !
As a ex British Army veteran I absolutely endorse this message. Thanks
Do the British also use the term "veteran" when talking about military? I thought it was more of an American thing.
@@GeneralKenobi69420 yes
@@GeneralKenobi69420 What else do you think the rest of the world call their vets? Combatants in pension? 😂
@@BarsusDraco Uh idk, "retired"? I know we certainly don't in France.
More than ever we need to stay united with our brothers from Europe and promote cooperation.
Make Europe Great Again !
I'm British and take no offence. I think France was right.
TBH I think we should be working with France, rather than the US, on our next sub-launched nuclear missiles, and join the European next-generation tank project.
storm shadow/scalp is a good example of a French/British cooperation!
I'm Italian... And yes the French were very right bout this. I wish the EU and Europe in general would have understood this about 50 years ago.
maybe is not too late....
As a Dutchman I can only agree with France. The Netherlands is probably the most Trans-Atlantic country on the continent. So it’s pretty difficult to loosen our ties with the Americans. It’s now time to strengthen our ties with our European brothers & sisters. Time for a European army!
Netherland has ASML...
@AS-np3yq Gigantic asset indeed, of incredible importance.
Well, in Belgium we have as atrocious as US ICBMs on our territory so I think there might be some debate over who has the biggest "US problem" on their hands! Then again I dont know what you have precisely in mind when you say "most transatlantic country on the continent".
Chad De Gaulle had always seen the big picture.
Ps: Thanks y'all for the support messages about France, we french are used to be relativly ill treated on the internet. Seeing kind words from strangers somehow appease my heart.
Never reward the bully. Vive la France! Vive Europe!
Like Ursula said in Davos: Long live Europe. We will prevail
Well, isn't that what France is in Africa?
Reward a bully? Your country was rebuilt off the Marshall plan where the US practically paid to rebuild Europe after WW2. Americans don’t want our troops in Europe anymore and haven’t for decades. But since Europe decided to down size their militaries for social welfare programs, our military because of NATO picked up the position of Europes defense. The only countries that could defend themselves at this point is France (which I do commend their independence), Poland, and maybe Sweden. We would love to see Europeans succeed at providing their own arms and defense in a realistic manner. But following misleading concepts of European strength because orange man bad is trying to level the trade deficits we’ve been trading at since WW2 (to prop up the economies) is not a helpful way to go it on your own. European countries develop wonderful kit, but suck at implementing it the actual forces. Btw France only sends its expeditionary forces to former colonies under some weird notion they owe it to them. And the few that we got in Afghanistan did not inspire much confidence with the exception of the legion.
I’m a Canadian, and while I know we need to increase our defence spending, many here in Canada feel far closer to Europe than to our terrifying neighbours to the south. France still possess St Pierre & Miquelon just 19km off the Newfoundland coast, so ‘technically’ we are much closer to Europe than the UK. So can we please join the EU? :) . Certainly we should seriously boost our Arctic defence and expertise and become far closer to the Nordic countries as we have many things in common
Ee would love for Canada to join!🇪🇺🇩🇰🇨🇦
The UK is in Europe, maybe you meant closer ( territorially) than the UK 🤔
Soyez bienvenus. Be welcome.
@@PaulJohn01 yep.. a bit tongue in cheek but we are territorially closer kinda.. I know the UK is in Europe, we just want to be too!
Canada has helped Europe defeat imperialism (WW1) and fascism (WW2) and has a vital role to play in limiting Russian expansion in the Arctic. Canada and Europe have been allies and close friends for more than a century. In all but name, Canada has been part of Europe throughout that time (or the next best thing, at least). So if Canada wants to join us in Europe, all I have to say is "Welcome home, friend. It's good to see you".
Buy European and make Europe great again
Bravo la France! Canada should follow in their steps. We're still tied to the British Empire and accept the CommonWealth but will always reject being united-statized.
As an Aussie I agree, we should have stuck with the French subs, the deal with the US was a bad deal right from the start, and Trump only makes the deal worse.
Sorry mate, you sound genuine but we dodged a bullet. We learned that Australia was preparing to steal the technology from France so thank God it didn't work out in the end
The worst thing is, even if the usa deliver the goods, it wouldn't really be yours. Key positions would still be manned by us soldiers on "loan".
Isn’t it interesting how Biden was supposed to mean change - and the first thing he does is the most Trumpest thing you can think off!
@@jacobwhite9006 Roosevelt was a Democrate too and he was francophile, when you know how he drove his french policy during WWII, I can't imagine what could have happened if he had been Republican and Frenchophobe LOL
Why your government choose the us sub and not French sub ?
I'm so pleased Europeans starts to open eyes on our defense independence, the US has crossed the line...
That is why american politicians say Frenchs are "arrogant".
Don’t worry most Americans couldn’t even identify where France is on a map. 80% of Americans have never had a passport and they couldn’t care less.
Yes it s so true! In fact they are jealous of the French and always been! We The French give them their independence and a Statue! But in 2025 I regret it!
@@patlelion it's isn't about emotion like jealousy, imo... it's about interests. Since ww2, I believe the US have seen Europe mainly as a buffer and as a market...
They're called arrogant because they are, a junior party that refuses to recognize their station, a leading nation in unwarranted attitude.
@@kolerick did you knew that during ww2 the reason roosevelt and de gaulle didn't like each other is because rooselevt wanted to litteraly turn france into a puppet governement to use their colonial empire ? ,wich de gaule avoided by making his own provisional governement when taking paris using the free france force
its no wonder relationship between france and the US soured when you learn that
As a Brit im not offended in the slightest. You are bang on the money. We could learn a lot from France.
As a Brit I agree with you completely we need to be less dependant upon the US
Probably a good idea to stop shrinking the size of your military then...
@@rossg4788 The British issue is not a lack of will to maintain a strong military, after all, they are the largest defense spenders in Europe. The issue, however, lies in serious problems with procurement inefficiencies, budget mismanagement, and a lack of long-term strategic planning, leading to delays, cost overruns, and capability gaps. As a result, the British are often forced to downsize their military just to stay within budget
I just hope you brits will fight with us in Europe, even after Brexit
I like to think we would. As bitterly disappointed I am in my country for Brexit, we have more in common and to gain from the ever closer union than getting any closer to the US. @@sorvex9
@@sorvex9 I think if you Rember the last 2 world Wars we did.
We Australians want less reliance on the US. We have lost over 4 trillion from our economy over the last 20 years to US corporations in Australia.
You no EU has no limits! You could join with Canada you are welcome
@@patlelionThe EU treaty specifically bans non-Europeans from entering.
Do an unity with UK, Canada and NZ. Britains partnership with europe then (not rejoining, this blocks everything) and it will work.
@@AthoMIcroN hey man, we Aussies are in Eurovision, nearly won a few years ago. Surely that counts. 😊 The French are right and our politicians were scum for dumping on them.
Les États Unis sont de vraies vampires assoiffés d’argent et noyé dans leur arrogance et leur stupidité. Ils le paieront un jour .
This Brit agrees with you. For many years I have been uncomfortable with the 'special relationship' that our politicians like to think we have with America. There is nothing special about a relationship with such a large power imbalance.
England and canada aukus will be an anglo american empire. :/ might be better tho
We do not have a special relationship with the rest of Europe either.
The anti British view was common in Europe well before Brexit, and even before we joined the EEC.
Its always been a case of forgive the sons the sins of their fathers, unless of course they are British....
@@alganhar1 The English in particular have always had a difficult relationship with the rest of Europe. I think Portugal is the only country they've consistently got on with.
im canadian how do you think we feel. we've only been invaded by one nation: America. Who do we trust? America! Not any more. hope its not too late
@@debbiegilmour6171 Have we not gone on well with Europe since the world wars? Sure there were some mishaps here and there but I always saw other European countries as friendly towards us overall. I trust them way more than the US.
France is not "arrogant", we just don't like an orange guy in his white house dictating our actions. It's just common sense
France is no longer a great power, it no longer has any influence. Although the French still believe in it!
Or protect your gay ass from Russia
France is the best ❤❤ an exemple to follow
All over Europe is coming more and more defense industry. With often better material at a cheaper price than America. It is a good thing that Europe is taking control over the supply of their own defense material.
As a Brit I believe the UK needs to stand shoulder to shoulder with France and Europe. Somebody has to say NO to tyrants and power hungry oligarchs.
YES. I so agree
I also agree, hello from France !
Former danish Army Major - served most of the '90s in conflict zones; India, Pakistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Bosniax2, Macedonia and Kosovo.(In several together with or part of US units). NATO has increasingly become a tool for US expansionism and containment policy since Wolfowitz doctrine of '92. Alignment with US means boot-licking the morbidly wealthy; inhumane exploitation, increasing inequality, environmental carnage, Neocon expansionist/containment policies perpetuating conflicts serving MIC interests, meddling in foreign countries internal affairs and making the World extremely insecure causing mass migration. The sooner alignment with the kleptocrat Oligarchy is abandoned and ties cut the better.
I.m Swede I also prefer more Europe less USA
So, do you still take American political refugees?
/asking for a few million friends
Retired Swiss Officer here. I totally agree with you and find your videos of high quality and very well researched! I was furious when our dumb politicians decided to buy the F-35A instead of the French Rafale.
Merci mon pote !
even buying the new version of the F/A18 would have been better than the F35 deal for Switzerland... I live in Switzerland and am both Swiss and French...
and about this deal, I often wonder if that was a quid pro co to cover for yet another of our bank "mistake" (UBS at the time, about the bad loans from 2008, was sued in the US)
Or the swedish gripen.
Except that the F-35 is more effective (ask Iran) and less expensive than the Rafale.
@@item6931 You missed the latest updates on the Rafale and forget about the hidden costs of the F-35A! It is the most expensive plane to fly and maintain, not speaking about being subjected to the wims of the USA crazy presidency just now when you need spare parts!!!
India has seen france as a friend.
From ouragans to mysteres to mirage 2000s to rafale.
Scropene class submarines in navy etc.
But you support Putin.
DeGaule was constantly side lined by the US during the war, Roosevelt despised him. He didn't let himself get bullied and did his thing during the war and the liberation of France. He also didn't let the US place ex nazi collaborators in the French administrations during the liberation of France. Every time they placed one he was removing them until the US just gave up trying.
Those are good reasons to not trust the US as he did.
You didn't mention the AMGOT and the money (sort of french dollar directed by US tresor)...
As a Brit I totally agree on France's stand for a stronger European defence force, and as a nation wish we could reverse Brexit and rejoin the EU.
The USA has shown it can elect dangerously maverick Presidents who pose a global threat, and we should join together for the common good.
OMG, every word you are saying I have been preaching for years. I am an Austrian living in France, and extremely proud of my chosen homeland. I also think that Austria made the right decision to stay out of NATO, but today is the day to move on and of all of Europe to join and build a strong European army. We are lucky that France is generous by not being Nationalistic but being in the spirit of a strong EU. It is extremely important to fight rightwing parties in Europe. There is a reason why Elon Musk interferes in German and British politics. He does not dare in France because he knows there will be strict and immediate concequences. The reason Musk is doing this is to prevent EU unity, and to keep US armed forces in Europe. The sooner we swop NATO for an European only defence, the better. Being in NATO is like renting, while having an European Army is owing. From a proud European Austrian woman in France. P.S.: I love my British friends, I have a daughter living in London, and I sincerely hope that GB will be part of it. GB would lose out completely if it prefered an union with the US. Thinking of Greenland, we should also have strong ties with Canada.
I don't think Musk cares about US forces in Europe. I think he wants a fascist crusade for White male supremacy so bad that he will shower $$$ on any party that will persecute LGBTQ and non-Whites. That salute he gave was an AdF salute in practice.
The Eu will never have an army, especially if left wing parties govern it
Right wings are for the union of independent countries mostly. Quite like the French doctrine is in fact. Stronger together if everyone is already strong alone
You're right that America doesn't wish to see united Europe and that they'are benefiting from our quarrels. But you're also very optimistic if you think that Europe can pull of the idea of common defense. As of right now, EU is not able to guarantee safety to Poland or Baltics. So we are forced to cling to America - there's no viable alternative. What's more, even if there was an European army, how would we ensure that it would protect everyone equally? Because I simply cannot imagine France or Germany accepting Polish or Romanian leadership. They are afraid of actual confrontation with Putin and so they would most likely pull back forces from Eastern flank. This is just one of many problems
In general Fench hate people with money telling them what to do.
Can't wait to see Elon try to comment on, or put his thumb on the scale of, French politics and policies. Or openly support a party in France.
Won't take long for the backlash to erupt, from all social classes, not just from politicians !
The only thing the French people would likely let Elon do is build a factory over there. Outside of that, "va te faire voir" 😂
The French always knew how to keep their government in check, and apparently they also know how to keep another country's government in check. Our countries fought a lot in the past, but I'm glad that we are good neighbours by now.
France is the only complete army in Europe, ground, air, sea, space and nuclear weapons. And one of three in the world with China and the US
They are only capable of anti teror operations in Africa , Poland is nuch more prepare for a real war than France
I'm British and love France ...
Merci we like the Brits too! We are friends now! And we should be stronger with together cooperation ( look at the Concorde plane) for example
I am french and I love Great Britain, after having being there thrice when young (Grantham, Trowbridge and Gloucester).
It's a great country that deserves to be great again 🇫🇷❤🇬🇧
Netherlands here. Agree that we stop buying american weapons, Europa is smart enough to built our own. Jets do this together
happy to see other Europeans are finally opening their eyes !
vive la République, et vive la France 🇫🇷
PS : I hope this wake up call doesn't mean that other countries (yes, you Germany with the SCAF and the MGCS) will try to steal our "savoir faire" (which is secret défense) after years of relying on the US for equipment. We worked hard for our independence, got criticized about it and were made fun of. Now that others realise we were heading in the right direction, we are happy to share and collaborate as long as it's in fair conditions.
L'Allemagne et la France ont surement beaucoup de savoir-faire à échanger. Il suffit de voir le résultat de certains consortium comme pour Airbus. Il faudrait un maximum de collaborations de ce genre en Europe
C'est marrant de dire qu'on devrait être unifié et la première chose qu'on fait, c'est taper sur l'Allemagne !!! Je ne dis pas cela particulièrement pour vous, c'est juste la 250ème fois que je lis ça dans les commentaires sur une possible défense européenne. Il faudrait peut-être commencer par être constructif. Oui, l'Allemagne n'est pas irréprochable (notamment dans sa relation avec les US) mais nous non plus... Pour qu'un jour l'Europe soit une réalité, dotée d'une défense commune indépendante, il faudrait sans doute commencer par se faire VRAIMENT confiance, pas seulement dans les mots. (Ne pas oublier aussi que chez nous un parti pro-Trump et pro-Poutine fait actuellement 40% des voix.)
@@olivierferfache5346 Par ce que c'est un point de contention tout à fait raisonnable. L'Allemagne nous fait le coup à chaque fois, et on tente l'aventure à chaque fois au nom de la volonté politique sans que ca donne de fruit. Les industriels allemands nous font les yeux doux pour qu'on travaille ensemble avec des contrats équitables, puis une fois le transfert technologique effectué, reviennent sur les termes jusqu'à ce que la France soit forcé de se retirer pour ne pas y laisser sa chemise. Oui on est nombreux à espérer que ca puisse un jour marcher, mais pour ca il faudrait qu'on se soit pas les seuls à y mettre du notre.
Love from France! I used to vouch for the U.S. as if my life depended on it, but after Obama, Trump and Biden, I am now convinced that we should leave them to their own devices, and focus on national and European solidarity.
I am from Canada and even I want us to be closer to Europe than the USA.
Tectonically you will have to push the plates towards the East. It should be ok in a billion years.
@@fabs8498 Most realistic solution.
I love Canada, greetings from France
Vive la resistance 🇫🇷
I am told France has, by far, the world's best combat rations